Michael Reed Smith passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at his home in Highland Village, TX. He chose to come home on his own terms after an off-and-on battle with cancer, and passed peacefully surrounded by his family, listening to "Holy Forever" amongst other tunes including Aerosmith, the Eagles, and Van Morrison. He was 67.

Mike was born August 30, 1957, in Greenville, MS, to parents Colonel Willard Eugene Smith and Helen Jean Schulte. As the son of a decorated Air Force pilot, he lived in Mississippi, California, Arizona, Georgia, and then finally landed in Lubbock, TX where he graduated from Lubbock High School 1975.

He attended Texas Tech University for Business Administration, starting his career at Texas Instruments and then transitioning to IBM where he worked for over four decades until his retirement in 2023. He fondly recalled the friendships he made at IBM, including with his team overseas.
Mike married the love of his life, Lynda Gayle Garritson, on May 22, 1982. They were married nearly 43 years. They grew their family the following year, first welcoming Haley in 1983 and Heather in 1985. They moved to Tyler, TX in 1987, and then settled in Highland Village, TX, in 1990, finding and cherishing lifelong friendships along the way.

Mike was an absolute gem of a man and filled his time with plenty of interests and hobbies. He loved to be at his ranch in West Texas, hunting, planting, fishing, and spending time with the Lubbock boys. His two favorite teams were Texas Tech and anyone playing the University of Texas. He thoroughly enjoyed grilling or smoking all kinds of meats, participating in barbeque competitions with friends to raise money for charity. He served as a deacon at Crossroads Bible Church. And he loved technology of all kinds.

Mike and his brown-eyed girl, Lynda, loved to travel. Notable trips included jaunts to Italy, France, Spain, and St. Thomas (40th Anniversary). More locally, they frequented Pagosa Springs, CO and Destin, FL, often with their daughters and their families. They took an extended RV trip in 2024, touring the National Parks of Arizona and Utah.

Most importantly, he was the consummate husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, gentleman, and Texan. He was kind, dignified, caring, helpful, and so much fun. He fiercely loved his people, especially his grandbabies. He loved them with a ferocity bigger than the whole world, with prized roles including burper, diaper changer, book reader, pool monitor, cook, ski instructor, beach lifeguard, and tickle monster.

Mike is survived by his wife, Lynda; daughter and son-in law, Haley and Matthew Ganser and their children – Ada, Ellie, and Beckett; daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Michael Maney and their children – Reed and Ryder; father, Col. Willard Eugene Smith and his wife Carol Smith; sister, Sherry Wagner; and numerous loving extended family members. He is preceded in death by his mother Helen Jean Schulte.

Although Mike expressed that he was going to miss his people, he faced his passing with conviction. He lived much of his faith according to Francis of Assisi, determined to "preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words."

Mike wanted us to always remember that "life is a marathon, not a sprint." Enjoy it.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the medical teams with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Flower Mound and Arcy Hospice, for the prayers, comfort, and support they provided to Mike and his loved ones.

A Celebration of Life service in Mike's honor will be held at Crossroads Bible Church Friday, March 28, 2025 at 2:00pm.

Crossroads Bible Church
8101 Justin Road
Double Oak, TX

To honor Mike, the family kindly requests any donations be made to Habitat for Humanity or Breakthrough T1D in memory of Michael R. Smith.

If you are unable to make the service in person, we invite you to attend the Celebration of Life that will be live streamed on YouTube using the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/0jgGNAJ8dvk?si=BTKv_1IUdsifHoKa