Mr. Smith
Leroy Smith, 88, passed away peacefully the morning of Feb. 5, 2026, surrounded by h i s lov i ng family, and went home to be with the Lord.
Fu n e r a l services were he ld a t 1 1 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Tanglewood Baptist Church, with Pastor Doug Brinson officiating. Burial followed at Hugh Wilson Cemetery.
Visitation was held at the church on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
He was born on May 14, 1937, in Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, and was raised in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.
At 17 years old, Leroy proudly joined the United States Marine Corps. He served as a radio operator during the Korean War, beginning a lifetime of service to others.
While stationed at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, he met the love of his life, Betty. Leroy was 19 and Betty was 15 when they met and from that young love grew a marriage that would last nearly 70 years. They were married on Nov. 10, 1956, and built a life centered on faith, family and devotion to one another.
After his honorable service in the Marines, Leroy worked at RadMac at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi as a helicopter aircraft electrician.
While living in Flour Bluff, he served as fire chief of the Volunteer Fire Department and coached his boys in Little League baseball, something they remembered with pride.
He and his family spent many special times at HEB Camp in Leakey, where Leroy also served as a counselor and his sons attended camp. These trips created lasting memories for the entire family.
He loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing on the beach and taking his family camping.
In 1973, Leroy accepted the Lord as his Savior. His faith became the foundation of his life. He soon began preaching and sharing the word of Jesus, encouraging many through his testimony and love for the Lord.
In 1977, Leroy, Betty, and their four sons moved to Lexington, where they made their forever home.
He worked for Koch Oil before opening Tanglewood Plants in 1986. He owned and operated the nursery for 25 years, forming friendships with many in the community. He was also a faithful member of Tanglewood Baptist Church for 40 years and dearly loved his church family.
The family also loved camping at Birch Creek on Lake Somerville.
Leroy and Betty enjoyed traveling together, especially to the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood.
In 2017, Leroy was honored to participate in an Honor Flight, a meaningful recognition of his military service that meant so much to him and his loved ones.
Above all, Leroy was a family man. His wife and children were his heart, and when grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along, his world only grew brighter.
After closing the nursery, he happily devoted even more time to his family and church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Nettie Smith; siblings Charles Smith Jr., Esther Milich, Doloris Pirosk, Bill Smith, Virginia Youngker and George Smith; and his grandson, Craig Cooper.
He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Smith; his sister, Judy Vanyo; his sons and daughters-in-law Cody and Debi, Randy and Debby, Mark “Hootie” and Sue, Roy and Rhonda; his grandchildren, Tasha and Garrett Lutz, Shannon and Christopher Ferguson Sr., Kayla and Phillip Markert, Amber and Justin Ender, Kasey and Colin Wiggins, Kolton and Geniveve Smith, Kimberly and David Jeter, Kirk Buchner, Kasey and Willie Birnbaum; and his cherished great-grandchildren, Elliett Lutz, Peyton, Christopher “CJ” Jr. and Brooklyn Ferguson, Mason and Abigail Markert, Cole and Emma Ender, Easton and Ace Wiggins (who is expected soon), Kaden and Nathan Jeter, Harrison Buchner, Jacob Carwile and Katie Birnbaum.
Leroy will be remembered for his steady faith, his servant’s heart, his love for the outdoors, and the way he put his family first. He lived a full life, loved deeply, and left a legacy of faith and kindness that will live on in all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Wounded Warriors Project.