Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Charlie Smith
Sep 15th, 1921 - Apr 26th, 2016Charles “Charlie” Tyler Chlorus Smith passed away in his sleep on the morning of April 26, 2016, in his home in Reno, Nevada after being diagnosed with a brain tumor in March. Charlie was 94 years old.
Charlie was born September 15, 1921 in Clay City, Illinois, the youngest son of Charles Tyler and Ethel Byrd Golden Smith. He was baptized at Mt Zion Church, age 13.
Charlie was married on January 3, 1942 in Flora, Illinois to Mildred “Midge” E. Murphy.
Charlie served in WWII as a US Merchant Marine, serving as purser on a Liberty ship from September 18, 1943 to July 15, 1946. He made 22 crossings of the Atlantic Ocean.
After the war, Charlie returned to Flora and opened a shoe shine shop. He started farming in Clay County, Illinois in March 1947, and continued farming full time until the fall of 1956.
While he continued farming as well, in September, 1956 Charlie took the important decision to go into the John Deere agricultural farm implement business with his friend Roger Hayes. Hayes and Smith started in Louisville, then in 1976 Charlie opened Agrimart in Flora. Charlie sold Agrimart to Charles, Carl and Larry Cox in December, 1978 and embarked on what would turn out to be a very lengthy and happy retirement.
Charlie and Midge bought a home in Lake Wales, Florida where he enjoyed fishing and traveling. Anyone who ever saw a picture of Charlie in those years would know how much Charlie loved living on Lake Kissimmee. The trophies of those fishing years still hang on the wall of their home in Reno.
For many years Charlie and Midge travelled in their RV in summer, often going to Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. Besides fishing, the other activity Charlie loved most was gambling – shooting craps and playing poker.
In 1989, Charlie and Midge bought a condo in Reno and for the next 15 years they spent 6 months in each location. Then in 2004 they made the decision to sell the house in Florida and move to Reno, Nevada full time.
They continued to travel extensively, visiting places such as Spain and Portugal, Australia and New Zealand, Dubai, Egypt, South Africa, UK, Germany, Bali, Singapore and Turkey.
Charlie was preceded in death by his brother, Quinn E. Smith of Chicago, Illinois and his sister, Olive V. Bowen of Flora, Illinois as well as his first grandson, Shannon Orel of Flora, Illinois.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Mildred Smith, and two children and their families. Daughter Sherry Sue Smith-Orel and Gary McGrew of Flora, Illinois, granddaughter Holly Orel Prather and son-in-law Wade Prather, and great grandchildren Shandon and Haydon. Son George Tyler Smith and daughter-in-law Susan Jones of Dubai, UAE, Renée Cummins Smith of Jacksonville, Alabama, granddaughter Jennifer Smith and husband Dustin Springer, granddaughter Stacy Smith, and great grandchildren Adrianna, Trevor and Chloe.
A simple funeral service was held with immediate family in Reno, Nevada. A memorial service is planned for later in the year in Flora, Illinois, where Charlie’s legacy in the community is still strong. This will be announced in the paper once the date has been finalized.
We request that flowers are not sent to the family. If anyone would like to make a charitable donation in Charlie’s name, please make a donation to your local charity, church or cause.
Charlie lived a long and incredibly blessed life, and the family would wish this same joy and happiness on everyone who was lucky enough to know Charlie. He was loved and respected by many, and he will be missed.
Gone is a father loved by all
His soul is now at rest.
He’ll sleep in peace…his work is done
A father’s work – the best
He’ll know the joy of perfect rest
In heaven up above
Where he may dwell contentedly
Protected by God’s love.
Obituary courtesy of Mountain View Mortuary