(Bryan) Leon Smith Jr.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved (Bryan) Leon Smith Jr., who departed this life peacefully on July 8, 2026, at his home under Hospice care. Born on December 19, 1937, in Earth, Texas, Leon was the son of Leon and Mattie (Sigman) Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Sigman Smith. He is survived by his wife Marcia of Fairfield Bay; daughters Debi Smith and Kim Napolitano, granddaughter Jennifer Dean and partner Robert Warren, and great grandson Heath Aleman, all of Austin Texas; Sara Cosgrove of Cedar Rapids Iowa and Rachel and husband Albie Fox and granddaughter Penny Liubushkin of Brattleboro Vermont; sisters Mona Turner of Denton Texas and Toni and husband Howard Allan of Abilene Texas; brother David and wife Imogene Smith of Friona Texas, and several nieces and nephews. Leon was a man of many talents and passions, known for his gentle spirit and artistic flair. After graduating from Lazbuddie High School in 1956, he proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1957 to 1960 as a helicopter mechanic. Leon's interests and careers were varied. He enjoyed flying a Piper J cub plane. He was a farmer in the Texas Panhandle, and a real estate broker in New Mexico. After heart surgery, he moved to Abilene Texas where he worked for Holy Family Catholic Church. He retired in 2011 and moved to Fairfield Bay in 2013. Leon was first married to Shirley Davenport in 1957, with whom he had two daughters, Deborah Leigh (Debi) Smith and Kimberly Ann (Kim) Napolitano. In 1997, Leon married Marcia Pratt Geer. Marcia brought two daughters into his life, Sara Denise Geer and Rachel Leah Geer. He became a beloved member of the Pratt family and Marcia a beloved member of the Smith family. Leon and Marcia were together for 29 years. They loved each other deeply. He was her rock and her safe place and she was his. Leon was also a devoted brother, father and grandfather. He was close to his brother David, his best friend and buddy. Leon delighted in the lives of Debi and Kim, Sara and Rachel, Jennifer and Heath, and Penny. His family, both immediate and extended, was his pride and joy, and he cherished every moment spent in their company. A talented artist, Leon found joy in expressing himself through his artwork, leaving behind pieces that capture the beauty and emotion of the world as he saw it. His creativity and vision were inspiring to all who knew him. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Leighton and Aubrey at Ozark Home Health, his physical therapists for the last year and a half, and to the dedicated staff at Ozark Health Hospital in Clinton for their exceptional care during Leon's final months. Special thanks also goes to the compassionate team at Gentiva Hospice Care for providing comfort and peace in his last days. A celebration of Leon's life will be held on July 31, 2026, from 12:00 until 2:00 at the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield Bay. Family, friends, and all whose lives Leon touched are invited to attend and honor his remarkable journey. Leon will be deeply missed by his family and friends, but his legacy of love, kindness, and artistry will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him. May he rest in eternal peace.