Fred K. Smith

On January 13, 2023, Fred K. Smith, “Freddy,” went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was 89 years old.

Freddy was born in Wichita Falls, Texas. When he was a young boy, his father abandoned the family and his mother was unable to care for her children. So he was moved to Corsicana, Texas to live at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Home for orphans. He remained there until his graduation from Corsicana High School.

He received a scholarship to attend college at the University of North Texas where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. After college, Freddy joined the United States Marine Corps where he served as an Officer, First Lieutenant. One night while attending the General’s Ball with students from Mary Washington College, Freddy saw the most beautiful woman standing on the staircase. He told his friends he was going to marry that girl. He asked her on at date and three months later, Freddy and Teddy eloped and were happily married for 64 years!

After Freddy was honorably discharged from his military service, he and Teddy moved to Dallas. He was a teacher at Highland Park High School before becoming employed at C & C Manufacturing. He worked there for several years and helped with the development of the packaging of small soap boxes sold in laundry room vending machines. Proctor & Gamble later bought the company and moved the business from Dallas so Freddy was in need of a job. In 1967, he decided to start his own company, Commercial Equipment Company, a commercial laundry equipment business. His legacy continues today, into its 56th year and carried on by his son and grandsons. Freddy enjoyed his career in the laundry industry and had many great relationships with his vendors and customers. He always believed in being fair and providing good customer service. He was very proud of his loyal employees, many of whom were with the company long-term and became like family to him.

Freddy was a people-person with a fun-loving personality, a great sense of humor, and always had a positive attitude and a good joke to tell! He had an uncanny ability of finding things in common with people he met. He loved World War I and World War II history and traveled around the world with his constant companion, Teddy. He said one of his most memorable trips was when he took his four grandchildren on a World War II tour of Europe. The wisdom he shared and the time spent together was a great blessing he bestowed upon them. “Pop” was very proud of his grandchildren and they brought him great joy. Family was important to him and he especially loved the holidays and celebrating events. During these events, he and Teddy were often found on the dance floor dancing the night away! Freddy had many friends who meant a great deal to him and he often spoke of their importance in his life.

Freddy loved sports and was present at many of his grandkids’ sporting events. He was a huge Dallas sports fan, especially the Cowboys and Rangers. Not only did he love to watch golf tournaments, but he was a ringer on the golf course himself. Another favorite memory of his was the time his son surprised him with a trip to The Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

Freddy’s Christian faith was an essential part of his life. He was an active member in his church community, bible study groups, and a mentor to Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. He more recently helped establish a Single Mothers Assistance fund at his church, in honor of his mother Leona Smith. This was very near and dear to his heart as he didn’t want children of single
mothers to face the same hardships he had as a child. Freddy was a generous, caring man of great character and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Phyllis “Teddy” Smith; his son, Taylor (wife Laura); daughter, Tammy (husband Tom White); grandchildren Lauren (husband Daniel Yakobchuk), Forrest, Addison, and Caroline White.

The family expresses sincere gratitude to the caregivers and health providers who cared for and assisted Freddy, especially Sharon, Liz, Claudia, and Demetria.

A memorial service to celebrate Freddy’s life will be held on Thursday, February 9, at 1:00pm, Christ Church Plano, with The Very Revered Paul Donison officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Freddy to help single mothers and their children. Please make your check payable to: Christ Church and specify on the memo line: “Single Mothers
Assistance /Fred K. Smith” and mail to: Christ Church, 4550 Legacy Drive, Plano, Texas 75024. </p