Charles Fred Smith

Brigadier General (retired) Charles Fred Smith of Plano, Texas passed away on July 30, 2021, surrounded by his family; he was 84 years old. Beloved by all who knew him, Fred was many things to many people:  a father, a Soldier, an educator, a leader, an innovator, and a man of faith.

Fred was born on Christmas Day 1936 in Winona, Texas to Frederick Alphonse Smith and Ruby Duke Smith. He graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1959 and earned a M.S. from the University of Arkansas in 1961. He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 1954, commissioned in 1962, and retired in 1996. During that time, he either trained or supported numerous units that deployed for combat operations abroad. Fred also graduated with honors from the U.S. Army War College in 1981.

Beyond his military service, Fred excelled as an engineer and manager with Dowell Schlumberger for several decades. In 1997, he developed and implemented the satellite campus for Southern Methodist University that came to be known as SMU-at-Legacy and, later, SMU-at-Plano. Later in life, he joined Collin College’s Seniors Active in Learning (SAIL) team where he lectured on a variety of historical topics to a packed classroom of attentive students. As his students attest, no topic was ever out of bounds during his 14 years of teaching.

Fred was an avid reader and a gifted conversationalist. He entertained all opinions and never failed to provide his own—often at length. He enjoyed photography, baseball, travel, and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed the company of his two golden retrievers, both of whom preceded him in death by a few months.

Fred is survived by his wife, Virginia; his children Tracee Potter, Stacee Walker, Derrick Smith, Stuart Smith, Chris Smith, and BrianHubbard; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

The memorial service will be held Monday, August 9, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Christ Church Plano, 4550 Legacy Dr, Plano, Texas 75024 with The Very Rev. Paul Donison officiating. A reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas are welcome. Their website is: https://www.goldenretrievers.org/donate.