Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Smith , Leo Paul July 8, 2005 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/obitsca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K T bluewolf@onemain.com July 12, 2005, 8:57 pm The Bakersfield Californian Smith, Leo Paul 1925 - 2005 Leo Paul Smith April 13, 1925 - July 8, 2005 A celebration of Leos life will be held Thursday, July 14th at 11:00 a.m., at the First Baptist Church of Greenacres to honor the life of Leo Smith. Leo P. Smith was born on April 13, 1925, in Bakersfield, California. He grew up in the Rosedale area and attended Rosedale School and Bakersfield High School. With the exception of his time in the Army during WWII, Leo lived all of his life in Bakersfield. He served on countless boards and committees and was active in the communities of Rosedale and Greenacres. For most of his life, Leo farmed in the Rio Bravo-Greeley area of Bakersfield. He loved farming and was successful in growing numerous crops. In his younger years, Leo worked in the lathe and plaster business. He worked on many buildings still standing in the Bakersfield area. In addition to farming, Leo also participated in a couple of side ventures. In the mid-sixties, he joined with Bob Hodel to start the first Hodels Buffet at the Valley Plaza. In the 1980s, Leo and his good friend Jim Dick started a laser land leveling business, which would be purchased in 1992 by Leos son-in-law, Richard Clasen and is still a successful business today. Leo and Richard also began producing almonds together in 1991, a risky venture that turned out very well. Even up to a few weeks ago, Leo enjoyed hearing reports about the almonds and loved giving Richard advice on how to do it better and he was usually right. Leos greatest adventure and the one that brought him the most joy in life was when he became a Christian almost 40 years ago. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Greenacres for all those years. He was instrumental in the planning and building of the current facility located at the corner of Jewetta and Rosedale Hwy. Over the years, Leo has served as Deacon, teacher, youth worker, counselor, and friend to numerous people who attended the church. His diligent approach to teaching adult Sunday school classes brought many people to the place of accepting Jesus as their personal Savior. He influenced many people, young and old, to a closer walk with God. Leo was a generous man who always had time to help someone in need. He spent many hours at the bedsides of sick and dying friends and more hours on his knees in prayer for the people he loved. Leo had many hobbies, but his favorite was hunting. Over the years, he went on many out-of-state trips with his brother Aron and close friends Royce Cornelson, Larry Richina, and John Merrill. In 1982 Leo almost lost his life while hunting in Montana, when he was accidentally shot by his hunting guide. Yet, being the loving and forgiving man he was, Leo later became great friends with the guide and his wife. During that time of pain and the uncertainty of whether he would ever regain the use his arm, he met Dr. Roy Meals at U.C.L.A. Dr. Meals performed several innovative surgeries on Leos arm that brought him to the place of being able to function, after many other doctors had given up. During those months and in the years since, Roy, his wife Susan, and their son Clifton have become friends to Leo and Barbara and our family. We will never forget all that Roy did for Leo. In Leos senior years, he became involved in raising horses and mules. This hobby brought a whole new dimension into Leos life and many new friends who shared this interest. Leo is the third of six children of Arthur and Martha Smith, both deceased. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Barbara; his two daughters, Gwen Smith and Colleen Clasen and her husband Richard, who was more like a son than a son-in- law; two beautiful grand-daughters, Terri Clasen and Kristina Fierro and her husband, Danny; Dannys son, Bailey and of course, the Little General, Cameron Fierro who is the apple of his great-grandpas eye and brought so much joy into his life; a special grandson, Lenny Clasen, his wife, Russett and their two sons, Garrett and Taylor, who reside in Casper, WY. He is also survived by his five siblings: Ervin Smith, Aron Smith and Verl Smith, all of Bakersfield; Phyllis Putnam of Bodfish; Evelyn Day of Pensacola, FL. In addition to the family members that come with birth, God often brings other special people into our families. There are a few additional children who must be mentioned here, as Leo and Barbara have, for many years, considered them adopted children. For the last several years, one special young man, Ronny Akery, has become like a son to Leo and Barbara. Ronny, his wife, Stacey, and their daughters, Jessica and Allie, have been wonderful friends to Leo and Barbara. Ronny has been especially loving and helpful to both Leo and Barbara these past few months as Leos illness has progressed, and he is deeply appreciated. Another special person in Leo and Barbaras life is Jill Ramey. For several years Jill has truly been a loving adopted daughter and a wonderful encouragement to them. Jill is very special to Leo and Barbara and they love her so much. Dennis Carroll is another man who came to consider Leo his California Dad, and Leo loved him very much. There are many, many others who have meant so much to Leo and Barbara over the years that it is impossible to name them all. We hope all of you special people know who you are and will hold their love in your hearts. Our family would like to thank Sharon Hicks and Yvette Delfino of Optimal Hospice, who lovingly cared for Leo and made a difficult situation so much easier. We would also like to extend our thanks to Sandy Cowan and the ladies of Agape In-Home Care Givers. Leo was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend for more than 80 years to people too numerous to mention. His life has been a living testimony of the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has left his imprint on the lives of all who knew him and loved him and he will be greatly missed by us all. We love you, Dad. Leo had a special place in his heart for the M.A.R.E. organization and all of the people involved in it. If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to M.A.R.E. 18200 Johnson Road, Bakersfield, CA 93314, or call 589-1877. Doughty-Calhoun-OMeara Funeral Directors Legacy.com Published in the Bakersfield Californian from 7/12/2005 - 7/13/2005. Additional Comments: Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased. http://www.legacy.com/bakersfield/LegacyHome.asp File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/kern/obits/smith8355gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 7.1 Kb