Obituary: George Smith

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at 2:00 PM (Mountain).

American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota

Visitation

A visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral service.

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In memory of

George Smith

of Milesville, South Dakota, died on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the ranch near Milesville at the age of 93

George was born February 16, 1924 in Philip at Dr. Ramsey’s house along the Bad River to parents Morgan Smith and Vera M. (Ernest) Smith. He grew up and resided on the south side of the Cheyenne River on the Smith Ranch purchased in 1918 from Charles and Ortha Haxby.

George first attended school right at the family ranch in a school house built from two log cabins that were originally occupied by Chief Touch the Cloud and Chief Council Bear, whose namesakes to the creeks that confluence on the Smith Ranch near its original headquarters. This was the Smith School from 1931-1932; students were George and Deuane Smith, Vern Hulett, Elaine, Lorraine and Miles VanCleave. Second grade he attended Long Fellow School in Sioux City, Iowa. Riverview School in the Cheyenne River Breaks would be his last country school from third to eighth grade. George and his two siblings, Deuane and Vespersia, all graduated from the eighth grade together.

George attended Philip High School; he was an avid athlete playing football, basketball and running track. Track and field is where he shined; he competed in both the high and low hurdles and held records at Philip High School for many years. In 1941, he placed second in the high hurdles and the state track meet in Huron despite slipping to the ground on a wet track.

George attended Black Hills State College from the fall of 1942 to spring of 1943, lettering in football and is a lifetime member of the Black Hills College Letterman’s Club.

After college, George returned back the family ranch to help his dad as his brother Deaune entered the Army. George’s father, Morgan, died in a car accident in 1958 George took over the ranch management at that time.

George started rodeoing in the 1940s, eventually winning first places in saddle bronc riding at the Faith Stock Show and Rodeo, but he also was good calf roper and horse breaker. He broke many horses for people, including Alvin Anderson of Faith. He also was the key organizer for the Indian Springs Roping Club, building a roping arena up near the present day Smith Ranch headquarters. George loved dancing and always said he was a natural bronc rider because he had good rhythm. Even some of George’s favorite saddle horses he raised, went on to compete in the National Finals Rodeo as rough stock, such as Untouchable and Bridger.

George served on the Cheyenne School District Board in the early 1960s.

An honor to George was being formally inducted to the Cheyenne Sioux Tribe at the Bridger Village and given the Sioux Indian name of George Two Moons. He would always greet people on the phone by saying Haw Kola, “hello my friend”.

George was an avid reader right up to his last day. He would read his Pro Rodeo Sports news cover to cover along with the Tristate Livestock news or any agriculture publication. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially college basketball and his favorite Kansas Jayhawks or NFL and the Green Bay Packers.

The highlight of George’s life and passion was his ranching career, the quality and the condition of the cattle and horses he raised and cared for carrying the Quarter Circle Diamond Dot Brand (one of the oldest registered brands in South Dakota). He took great pride in his livestock that wore the brand, especially those that sold at the Fort Pierre Livestock Auction. George was one of The Hanson’s oldest active customers.

There was no better cattleman or horseman that God could in trust with care of his livestock.

George married Loretta Elaine (Sorum) Smith on January 11, 1964, at Philip at the First Presbyterian Church. To this union he was blessed with one daughter, Kristine H. Smith.

Survivors include his only daughter, Kristine Helen Smith of Milesville; a sister, Vespersia Pennington of Gardner, Kan.; nephews, Arthur Smith of Hot Springs, Jay (Mary) Smith of Hermosa, Layton Pennington of Grayslake, Ill., Cevey (Ashley) Pennington of Kiowa, Colo., and Austin (Karen) Pennington of Gardner, Kan.; a brother-in-law, John Sorum of Canton; a sister-in-law, Anne (Smith) Harty; his nephew's wife, Marie Smith Reichert; and numerous nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Smith, on July 23, 2007; his parents, Morgan and Vera (Ernest) Smith; brother, Deaune Smith; brothers-in-law, Albert A. Pennington and Robert Sorum; sisters-in-law, Louise Sorum and Opal (Pattinson) Smith; and nephew and niece, Ernest Morgan Smith and Lynn D. Bertrand.

Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the American Legion Hall in Philip.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Interment will be at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

VISITATION
Will be held two hours prior to the funeral service

FUNERAL SERVICES
Tuesday, May 30, 2017 - 2:00 p.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota
OFFICIATING
Pastor Kathy Chesney
MUSIC
Shelby Schofield - Vocalist
“There You’ll Be”
“Go Rest High On That Mountain”
USHERS
Glen Radway - Ed Morrison
PALLBEARERS
Cevey Pennington - Cole Pennington
Cauy Pennington - Jay Smith
Shane DeLange - Jerry Spencer
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

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Kris, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Just heard of the passing of your Dad. You are privileged to get to share so many years with him. He passed his strength and character on to you. Stop by sometime when you are in my area. Would love to catch up. ~ Sheryl Schweitzer Gillette, WY (6/8/2017)
Kris, Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. There is something special about a relationship between a girl and her dad. I know how much the two of you meant to each other. Memories are wonderful things, they bring many tears, but smiles too. Let your memories give you comfort in days ahead. ~ Corinna Thompson Faith, SD (6/2/2017)
Kris, I'm very sorry to read of George's passing the other day. At a time like this it's very hard to try and find the right things to say to help ease the hurt and pain that you are feeling. I'm sure George felt it was time to saddle up and ride on because he taught you how to care for the livestock that you both shared. I enjoyed the history that he knew of the people in Bridger. Whether it was a long late night trip hauling calves back from Rosebud to wean or moving cattle to pasture it sure was interesting to hear the stories he told. I enjoyed the years i cowboyed there and learned alot about livestock that helped me when i moved on to cowboy else where. I learned patience from a man who had a lot of patience in any situation and enjoyed the stories of bronc riding days and also seen him make some great bronc rides while we were moving cattle. He will be sorely missed but you will always be in my thoughts and remember he's alway there when you look around you . Take care. ~ Eugene Buffalo Glendale AZ (5/30/2017)
Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart.
~ Jim and Vonnie O'Dea Howes, SD (5/29/2017)
Kris, I am truly saddened to hear the news of your Dads passing. I feel very honored to have met and spent time with him during our trips to your ranch. I appreciate the time he spent with my then 14 year old daughter explaining the ranch and working the cattle. He was a pleasure to be with and the time he spent with Christina will not be forgotten by either of us. May God bless you and keep you close during this time. ~ Jeff Miller Ford City, PA (5/25/2017)
Kris, I was so sad to learn of George's passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him when I worked at Wegner Auto. He had many stories to tell. George was one of the true "Good Old Boys". He will be missed by many. Please accept my deepest sympathy. ~ Rich Shangreaux Pierre, SD (5/25/2017)
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. George was a great man whom I got to know, he always inspired me by the history he shared. Whenever I seen him he would greet me by saying "Reverse LE on the left Jaw.!" He said that was your granddaddy Philip Lone Eqgles registered brand. He was a very knowledgeable man gonna miss him. Prayers was sent to the creator! Journey well George. !
~ Bud Lone Eagle Sr Bridger, SD (5/25/2017)
George left a long lasting impression. I asked him if roped and dragged his cattle to branding. His reply was " I am a cattleman not a cowboy. I run all my calves through a chute." Quite a statement from a first place bronc rider. He really cared for his cattle. While he was a true cowboy, he was a cattlemen in his heart. Rest in peace. ~ Karl Hoppe Carrington, ND (5/24/2017)
Kris so sorry for your loss. Your dad was hands down one of the best cowboys and stockmen I ever had the pleasure to ride with; and as you know I've ridden with a bunch of them. The number one thing I admired about George is at a young age he figured out that he either had to ride saddle broncs full time or tend to business on the ranch. He obviously chose the ranch and hence held on to this for you and future generations to enjoy. You were very lucky to have such a mentor in your life and enjoy great times working on the prairie together. May George rest in Peace and you move on with your life as well as he desired. Take Care and Keep the Chin up Kris, Jim Stotts ~ Jim Stotts Glidden Iowa (5/24/2017)
Kris, my heart breaks for your loss. I know how much you admired your father. There will be days when you wonder how you will get thru this loss. One day at a time. He will always be in your heart and he will be watching over you on the ranch. My deepest sympathy to you. ~ Michele Drake Ankeny, IA (5/23/2017)
We will miss the good stories of the past and a person who had an adventurous spirit. Kris , I know you will miss working together on the ranch all of these years. Sorry for loss of your dad. You have plenty of memories to help you along the way. ~ Gene and Theresa Deuchar Milesville (5/23/2017)
George has been in our family from the beginning of the "rehab" program(60's) he's been my dads (Emerson) friend and fellow rancher. George is with Loretta now together forever. RIP. From the Long family. ~ Humphrey long Rapid city by way of bridger (5/23/2017)
I am a very good friend of Kris and was very fond of all the memories of working on the Smith Ranch with George. He was one of the greatest cowboys up to the age of 93 that was and ever will be ever know as far as I know. George was full of respect for his herd of cattle and horses. I will miss him as he became a great friend and was a very kind and and caring mans and a wealth of knowledge about ranching. May the grass always be green and belly deep in Heaven. I will be here to look out for my friend Kris ~ LuAnn Hanson Bismarck (5/23/2017)