Scott C. Smith Jr.

“I sing because I’m happy!” The words to the song, His Eye is on The Sparrow is the theme of the life of Scott Calvin Smith Jr. Born February 13, 1927, in Cordell, OK and passed on to glory October 4th, 2024, in The Craig Hospice, Amarillo, TX. Scott is preceded in death by his parents, Pearl and Scott C. Smith of Clinton, OK, his sisters Ruthie Smith of Oklahoma and Vera Ryan of Oklahoma City, OK, his wife Betty Lynn Smith and his son, Daniel Lynn Smith both of Amarillo, TX. 

Scott is survived by his brother Donald J. Smith of West Palm Beach, FL, his sister Sylvia Joann Wilcutt of Norman, OK, daughters Jeanene Lea Smith and her husband Jay Harvey of Austin, TX, Sandra Kay Giffen of Denver, CO, his granddaughters Madison Ann Enloe of Silverthorne, CO, Alexandra Paige Giffen of Denver, CO, Hannah Kay Spriggs and her husband Cody Spriggs of Topeka, KS, his great-granddaughters Willow Kay Spriggs, Indie Owen Spriggs, and his many nieces, nephews and their children. 

Scott grew up on a farm in Neptune Park, where the stories of he and his siblings’ antics are many. His mother as schoolteacher took him to school with her at age 4. Graduating early, Scott enlisted in the Navy during WWII after securing a letter from his parents allowing him to enlist early due to his age. Passing a rigorous exam, he was one of two in OK. selected for the Navy, an experience he did not want to repeat due to seasickness. When the Korean War started, Scott, fearing getting drafted back into the Navy, enlisted in the Army as Captain of the 975 Combat Battalion Infantry. 

Upon discharge from the Navy, using his G.I. Bill, Scott enrolled in the University of Oklahoma which led to a lifelong love affair with the Sooners and a pathway for 17 other family members to follow. After graduation, Scott moved to Amarillo, TX and became a member of Polk Street Methodist Church in 1948, a membership he held dear until his death. He met his wife, Betty when she walked into the choir. “She had pretty legs.” Scott said with a twinkle in his eye. It was at Polk Street his singing talents became legend. With Betty playing the piano and Scott’s voice they became a dynamic duo. 

Scott had long been known for his singing, recalling a time in the Army when it was evening and the soldiers in tents were not settling down, Scott’s captain said, “Scott you can sing can’t you?” Answering yes, he asked Scott to sing. Scott began to sing The Lord’s Prayer acapella. The camp quieted down and at the end of Amen, quiet Amens were heard throughout the camp tents. Several weeks later on a train, Scott overheard another officer describing it as something he would remember the rest of his life not knowing it was Scott sitting right behind him. 

Scott rejoiced singing solos as well as with the choir at Polk Street until health forced him to stop but his voice still could be heard from any place. He sang with his sister Jan’s church in England cathedrals, sang with his daughter Jeanene across Israel, sang as he bounced his great-granddaughters on his knee, sang in the garden tending to his roses, sang for funerals and weddings. A talented musician who was never trained, just God-given ability. 

Scott worked at Pioneer Natural Gas Company as Senior Engineer until retirement and then he embarked on a career as a consultant to many area towns helping with city engineering planning. Scott also taught upper-level geometry at Amarillo College and Texas A&M. Scott was a national expert in Cathodic Energy Protection. 

Active in Men’s Kiwanis, Scott held many offices including President, He and his wife Betty enjoyed many trips including Canada and Europe connecting with others whose life was dedicated to service. 

An active member in two different Men’s Prayer Breakfasts at Polk Street and 1st Presbyterian, Scott will be sorely missed by many who received his notes of encouragement. 

Although forever missed by his family and many others who loved him, Scott will be remembered by his smile, his love of jokes, countless hands of unbeatable gin rummy and bridge, calling family members the morning of their birthdays to be the first to sing Happy Birthday to them, his ethics in business, his excitement of a new college football season, his delight in family gatherings, his unfailing love of his children, his passion for music which could not be contained, and most of all his unshakable and undivided faith of his Lord God. 

His Eye is on The Sparrow, and I know He watches Me. 

Memorial services will be at 2:00 P.M., Friday, November 1, 2024, in the Chapel at Polk Street Methodist Church, with Rev. Lane Boyd and Rev. Katie Hill officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Amarillo.

In lieu of flowers please make your donations to the Scott C. Smith Jr. Memorial Choral Fund at Polk Street Methodist Church.