Terry Gene Smith, age 79, of Cassville
Terry Gene Smith, age 79, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Terry entered the world on April 22, 1947. He was the firstborn son of Gene and Marietta (Terry) Smith, who preceded him in death. Also, preceding him in death was his younger brother, Britt Smith. He is survived by his younger sister, Sue, and her husband Gary Britton of Dallas, Texas.
Terry is survived by Rayna Smith and her husband Alex Woolbright of the Ozarks. Krista Smith and her husband John Healy along with their two children, Kennedy and Ryan of St. Petersburg, Florida.
In his youth, Terry was an All-American wrestler, a summer surfer, and a football champion at Washington High School in Fremont, California. To avoid the Draft, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1966. He attended Officer Candidate School, and was assigned to the 173rd Airborne division, as a Second Lieutenant. He served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, where he received a field promotion to First Lieutenant. He exited the Army with an Honorable discharge in 1969.
After leaving the Army, Terry returned home to Fresno, California where he was employed as a firefighter. Terry married Pamela Day in 1972. Soon after, they moved to Rocky Comfort, Missouri where they built the Indian Creek Greenhouse, ran summertime canoes on Mike’s Creek, and raised their daughters.
Terry loved the outdoors. He enjoyed living on the Table Rock Lake shoreline for 20 years in Golden, Missouri. His last years were spent in Cassville with his daughter, Rayna, his son-in-law, Alex, and two little dogs named P.D. and N.D. They talked, they laughed, they sat together for hours watching and listening to the world change.
We honor his spirit, body, and legacy. He was a great dad, loyal friend, and a resilient human being. God Speed to the original Crispy Critter. All of our love, we’ll see you on the other side.
Graveside services with military honors will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.
