George Roger Smith

George Roger Smith passed away on November 17, the year of our Lord 2021 with his hand on the Bible at his hospital bedside, leaving a loving and grateful family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Mildred Christine “Cricket”; his son, George, Jr. “Roger” (Janet); three daughters, Sherry Smith (Mary), Lisa Picou (Joel “Joe”) and Crystal Marks (Jeff); his grandchildren, Sean and Kevin Smith, Caleb, Zach (Ali) and Tyler Picou, Alex Huffman (Ashley) and Olivia Marks; and four great grandchildren, Abigail Smith, Jack Huffman, Remington Picou and Quinn Huffman. Also surviving are his loving brother—and best friend—Jack Smith and his sisters Frieda Blakely and Vivian “Sondra” Tripp. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother-in-law, Isabelle Bailey; his father and mother, Golden and Harriet Smith; his sister Sue; brother Jimmy; and grandson Josh.



George was an unpretentious, selfless and devout man of faith who gave glory and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ each day. George rose from humble beginnings during the Great Depression. Born into a coal mining family, George enlisted in the Marines in 1947 at the age of 15. He married Cricket, his wife of 72 years, and later enlisted in the Air Force. A Korean War Vet, George returned to his home in West Virginia and began work in the coal mines where he studied to become an electrician. He migrated his family to New Mexico where he found work as an electrician. The rest of his extended family followed him to a better life (good-paying, steady work). George was a modern-day pioneer and trailblazer. He received his union ticket as a result of his organizing efforts in Moab, Utah.



George, more than anything, was a problem solver. He had a hard life and faced many obstacles along the path he forged for his family—obstacles he overcame with courage, tenacity, and dogged determination.



George settled his family in Ohio in 1966. However, he traveled the country for work, from Washington state to New York seeking overtime jobs. George and Cricket lived modestly. George invested in the stock market—where he became a student of the game. He always kept a close eye on the market—even during his last days. George would take no credit for any of the success he enjoyed. He would instead give praise and thanks and glory to the Lord.



One of George’s most important goals was seeing to it that his children received a good education. He and Cricket put each of their four children through college and their son, George Jr. (Roger) through law school producing a civil rights lawyer, an accountant and Leader Global Learning and Development at Owens Corning (Sherry), an educator (Lisa), and a nurse (Crystal).



George was kind-hearted and generous. He will be sorely missed by those many people whose lives he has touched—and most especially his family. Our Dad was our hero—a self-made man who pulled himself up from humble beginnings by his own bootstraps. The life he lived is a testament to the American dream. Here’s to you, Dad.



George’s family is honoring his wish to have private services by invitation only. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to the Christ Gospel Church of Bucyrus and be sent to Wise Funeral Service at 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. Memories and photos can be shared on George’s tribute wall.