Charles Smith

To plant a seed in one’s heart…to root it in love… To nourish it with time spent together… Yields a blossom that will flourish forever.

Charles Ray Smith was born May 4, 1941, in Grassland, Texas to his parents, Cleveland Smith and Othelen Lindsay Smith.  He was the sixth child born in the family.  He was raised surrounded by his brothers, Cleveland, Wesley, Odell, Earnest, and his sisters, Jerline, and Bettye.

Charles received his early education by graduating from Dunbar High School in Lubbock, Texas where he was a member of the band.  He furthered his education by attending Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma, the University of Colorado in Denver, Colorado, and Metro State College in Denver.  He earned a bachelor’s degree.

On June 2, 1963, Charles wed, LaVonne “Bonnie” Smith in Denver, Colorado. They shared many happy and precious moments together.  Charles was the proud father of sons, Charles, Anthony, and Bryan.  He was later blessed with twelve grandchildren, Taitianna, Carlyn, Camille, Kayla, Elijah, Alyssa, Shandell, Athena, Andrew, Chanity, Tawalla, and Lativia. They remember him taking them to play putt putt golf, riding the bicycle with them, and of course skiing.  He was blessed with thirteen great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.  At the time of his passing, he and Bonnie had been married for 57 years. Charles was no stranger to hard work.  He has been employed as a Shoe Cobbler, a Machinist, and a Mechanical Engineer for Alcoa Corporation in Denver.  He performed his duties with a spirit of excellence.

Charles was no stranger to hard work.  He has been employed as a Shoe Cobbler, a Machinist, and a Mechanical Engineer for Alcoa Corporation in Denver.  He performed his duties with a spirit of excellence.

Anyone who knew Charles, knew he loved to ski. He was well known in the ski arena. He taught skiing not only to his family but to many in the Loveland ski area where he was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 2016.

He received countless awards, certificates, and trophies for his excellence in service.  He was also an avid golfer with a 12 handicap. He was a fun-loving man, who enjoyed life and those he encircled. His closest friends, Clark Johnson, Ron Reese, Lonnie Porter, and Ronsini Russell, will miss the comraderies they all shared together and the fact that he was a true and trusted friend.  He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful man.  To know Charles was to love him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cleveland and Othelen Smith; a sister, Jerline Patterson; brothers, Cleveland Smith, Wesley Smith, Odell Smith, and Earnest Smith.

Charles Ray Smith departed this life on March 21, 2021, in Denver, Colorado.

Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his loving and devoted wife, LaVonne N. “Bonnie” Smith of Denver, Colorado; 3 sons, Charles Ronald (Judy) Bolden of Lubbock, Texas, Anthony (Carmela) Smith of Tacoma, Washington, and Bryan (Tammy) Smith of Commerce City, Colorado; his sister, Bettye (Joe) Jones of Denver, Colorado; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.