Virgil Smith

Virgil Lee Smith, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who got better with age, entered into eternity in Fort Worth on January, 30, 2026, where he and Mary Etta had resided since he experienced a fall more than a year ago.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Sunset Church of Christ.

As a young man, he moved to Carlsbad where he soon met the love of his life, Mary Etta McLaughlin. They married at the age of 19 and were married 67 years.

Virgil was born on a farm in Thompsonville, Illinois on April 14, 1939. They welcomed their three children, Dave, Janalee and, 12 years after Janalee, Julie. They lived in El Paso, spent many years in Amarillo, later moving to Sweetwater and Stamford, and then to Pampa.

Virgil worked in sales and leadership in the agricultural industry and owned multiple businesses of his own, including a Firestone dealership, and managing an agricultural coop. He was devoted to his family even as he traveled for work for many years.

Virgil was a trader who enjoyed the experience of acquiring four-wheelers and other outdoor equipment, or anything else that interested him.

When Dave was young, Virgil coached PeeWee football and became an ardent Amarillo Sandies supporter where Dave played linebacker. He enjoyed time in his woodworking shop where he made many professional-level pieces that still adorn the homes of his children. He was active in his churches, leading benevolence ministries and performing with a puppet in an early television show, teaching young people God’s Word.

Virgil was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing, and spending many hours camping and four-wheeling with his family, and later on in life, as he and Mary Etta spent countless days in the mountains, which was their favorite pastime. He helped instill this love of the outdoors in his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Smith and Lorene Tackorius; son, Dave Smith preceded him in death at the age of 62, and sister, Connie Dotson.

Survivors are his wife, Mary Etta Smith; daughters, Janalee Smith and husband, Craig, Julie Reinke and husband, Travis; daughter-in-law, Sharlotte Smith; grandchildren: Chance Riehl and wife, Shelley, Zachary Glassmith and wife, Janie, Blaine Smith and wife, Elizabeth, Zac Smith, Maci Woolfolk and husband, Spencer, Meagan Hardey and husband, Brennan, Payton Reinke and Logan Reinke; great-grandchildren: Jace, Truitt, Bennett, Sophie, Louella, and Ellie; brother, John Smith and wife, Marian; sister-in-law, Kayutah Higgins and husband, Steve, and several nieces and nephews.