James Franklin ‘Frank’ Smith

James Franklin “Frank” Smith, 90, of Kingsland died Jan. 26, 2012. He was born May 5, 1921, in Pawhuska, Okla., to Frank and Arta Smith. He was raised there and graduated from Pawhuska High School, where he excelled in football. He was a World War II Navy veteran — one of the “greatest generation.”

He had a great love of the outdoors; he was an accomplished hunter and fisherman. He learned his mechanical skills in the Navy and was masterful in his vocation. He married Betty Jean Hartness in July 1940. After traveling and working in many different states during their early married years, the couple moved their family from Pawhuska to Odessa in 1952, where he worked for Phillips Petroleum for 16 years.

In 1967, he began his overseas “adventures.” He was employed by Loffland Brothers Drilling Co. and worked in Venezuela, Libya, Singapore and Saudi Arabia. His vision was to own and manage a fishing camp in the Texas Hill Country. In 1974 he and his wife bought a fishing camp and named it Llanorado Fishing Lodge in Kingsland.

When his wife died in 1996, they had been married more than 55 years. He sold Llanorado and retired on Lake LBJ.

Survivors include his son Tommy Joe Smith and wife Valeria of Clovis, N.M.; daughters Frances Jean Kiker and husband Bob of Midland and Sherry Jane Tatsch of Llano; grandchildren David Scott Nail, James Franklin Smith, Amy Nail Raley and husband Tim, Michael Owen Smith and wife Alicia, Jason Inge, and JJ Inge  and wife Ashley; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and five older siblings.

The family wishes to thank doctors and staff at Scott & White Hospital and Walden Court Assisted Living.

A memorial service was Jan. 28 at Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 900 Industrial Blvd. in Kingsland, (325) 388-6767.

A graveside service is 10 a.m. Jan. 30 in Pawhuska, Okla.

Honorary pallbearers will his six grandchildren.

Email whhfuneral1@verizon.net or visit www.whhfuneralhome.com for online condolences.