Smith, Charlie 1933-2006

SMITH, WARD, LEHR

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/29/2006 at 20:45:22

Charlie was born Oct. 10, 1933, in El Dorado, Kan., the son of Walter and Effie Ward Smith. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1951, where he was a star pitcher on the baseball team.

He served with the U.S. Air Force from 1951-56 in Greenville, Miss.

Charlie married Caroline Ruth Lehr on Jan. 4, 1955. They lived in Greenville until moving back to El Dorado in 1956, where they started their careers. Charlie owned and operated Charlie's Barber Shop in El Dorado for 10 years.

In 1966, he began management training for one of the first fast food restaurant chains in the Kansas area, Bikes. They moved to Knoxville later that year where Charlie managed the Lil' Duffer Restaurant. He opened several more Lil' Duffer's in southern Iowa before owning two stores of his own in Knoxville and Pella. He also owned the Knoxville Cafe and the Pine Knolls Country Club Restaurant.

He was a longtime member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, where he was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. He had served as Grand Knight when he lived in El Dorado. Charlie was active in many Knoxville athletic programs and was one of the co-founders of the Knoxville Booster Club.

He enjoyed his family, golfing, fishing and coffee time with the boys at Mr. C's. Charlie died June 25 at the age of 72. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and three sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Knoxville; five sons, Kelly of Knoxville; Andy (Emily) of Papillion, Neb.; Clay (Kayt), Jay (Laura), Dave (Julie) and one daughter, Amy Leavitt (Eddie Jr.), all of Knoxville; 16 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren.

Services were held at St. Anthony's on June 28 with Rev. Mark Spring officiating. Internment was in Graceland Cemetery with military honors. Memorials can be made to Project H.E.L.P. or St. Anthony's.

The Knoxville Journal Express, July 10, 2006