Levon Smith Sr.'s Obituary
Levon Smith Sr.
19 Dec 1951 – 11 May 2023
Levon Smith Sr., age 71, passed away in Sugar Land, Texas on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Levon’s battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life’s challenges.
Levon was born on December 19, 1951 in Sumter, South Carolina to parents Jessie Smith and Maggie Lou Baker. After his father died in 1963, Levon attended the John de la Howe School, a boarding school founded in 1797. There, he cultivated lifelong friendships.
In 1972, Levon joined the U.S. Navy, serving his country as a Machinist Mate. During his 20-year career, Levon served on multiple Navy vessels including the USS Seawolf (SSN575) and the USS Preble.
After his Navy career, Levon became a professional truck driver. He drove 18 wheelers coast to coast and to Canada hauling freight until 2009 when he retired to Greenwood, South Carolina. In declining health, Levon moved to Houston, Texas in 2016 to be closer to his son, Levon Jr. His son followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, joining the military at a young age. Levon Sr. was always very proud of Levon Jr’s accomplishments as a U.S. Air Force and then United Airlines pilot.
In Levon’s free time, he enjoyed playing Blackjack and keeping current with conservative politics. He was an avid Clemson football fan as well as a Civil War history buff. Levon loved animals, music, southern cuisine, and country-western movies.
Levon Sr. was predeceased by his mother, Maggie; father, Jessie; brother, Louie; half-sister, Carrie Scott.
Levon Sr. is survived by his former spouse, Charlotte Conte; son, Levon Smith Jr.; daughters, Renee Vasquez and Jessica Smith; his grandsons Brandon and Anthony Vasquez; granddaughters, Mackenzie Sheehan and Chloe Terry; sister, Christine Rogers.
To honor Levon Smith Sr., a memorial service will be held in his hometown at a later date.
If you aren't able to join the family on Thursday, please click this link to watch the live stream of the service:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/88517/hash:55697DADD6BF02DE
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