Kerry Martin Smith

Kerry Martin Smith gained his angel wings on October 20, 2019. Memorial services will be at 4 pm., Wednesday, October 23, at Hillside Christian Church (West).

Kerry was born June 30, 1968 in Lindsay, Oklahoma, a fact that his very Texan wife forgave him for, because he got to Texas as quickly as he could when his family detoured through Hereford (Go Herd) and put down roots in Dumas when he was in grade school.

Kerry was the oldest of Lanny and Phyllis Smith’s three children, but was the least bossy of them all. As a child, he was kind and caring, often picking flowers to give to his mother. Clearly, this was foreshadowing. He became a florist in 1991, as art was always his first love, and owned Budding Art by Kerry.

In 1992, a mutual friend in relationship crisis called in her troops for support, which unexpectedly set off a chain of events leading to Kerry meeting, hating, loving, and finally marrying his wife, Charee Godwin, on September 6, 1997. From that day forward, Kerry’s sole goal in life was to make Charee happy. If love was currency, Kerry and Charee would be multi-billionaires.

While threatening their parents to withhold grandchildren until they quit mentioning babies, Kerry and Charee successfully got pregnant on their honeymoon and brought the most angelic baby, Gracey Beth, into the world in 1998. Three years later, Sadie Marie arrived to prove that Kerry might have been a cuter woman than we thought as Sadie looks just like him. In 2010, Kerry and Charee completed their family when William Jacob (Billy) became a Smith.

Subsequently, Kerry and Charee have acquired many extra children along the way, although they are not responsible for their college educations or required to break up their arguments.

Always generous with his time and talent, Kerry touched every person he met. His calm demeanor and attention to detail in every situation (except bookkeeping) made him easy to talk to. Friends knew Kerry would lend his ear, expertise, and earnest concern at a moment’s notice. And his children knew his love and guidance would never waiver. (They also knew not to argue with their mother within his earshot, but that’s a story for another day.)

Kerry lost his battle with a sudden illness on October 20, 2019, thus breaking the promise Charee forced on him to let her go to Heaven first. Perhaps this was really better, because getting a whole new house set up to look just how she wants it can’t happen if he’s not up there first. (Too bad he will be repainting every room when she gets there.)

As Kerry rejoices in his heavenly body and rides his mountain bike through the pearly gates, he leaves behind his wife Charee of Amarillo; daughter Gracey of Canyon, daughter Sadie of Amarillo (and Stillwater – Go Pokes); son Billy and daughter-in-law Meg of Dumas; and precious granddaughter Zoey who resides with her parents in Dumas (until she starts begging to live with Bizzy, of course).

He is also survived by his mother Phyllis of Lubbock, his brother Mark and wife Kelli of Lubbock, sister Kristin Sorenson and husband Jesse of Canyon, and many nieces and nephews.

Kerry’s greatest legacy is the love he showed those around him and his giving spirit. His family asks that the next time someone shows a need for a helping hand, you give it without question or hesitation.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.