Obituaries

Richard L. Smart

Photo of Richard L. Smart
Richard L. Smart, 90, of Pine Bluff, died at home Tuesday, March 17, 2015. Born July 29, 1924 in Pine Bluff, son of Felix G Smart III and Elise Moore Smart, the life-long resident of Pine Bluff graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1942. Known to his friends as "Bubba", he started his college career at the University of Arkansas on a golf scholarship but then enlisted in the US Army during World War II serving in the United States and Europe. After the war he returned to the University of Arkansas and graduated in 1948. "Bubba" was one of the greatest amateurs in Arkansas golf history. A child prodigy, he won the 1940 Arkansas Championship at age 15, defeating Miller Barber among others. He won his first Sand Greens Arkansas championship at age 14. He won his second straight ASGA amateur championship in 1941. At age 16, Smart held six major golf titles in Arkansas including the state junior and state amateur titles. After his military service, he won the state amateur title again in 1946. Smart also won the Trans-Mississippi Amateur, and other tournaments of significance including the Oil Belt three times, two consecutive Arkansas High School state championships, two consecutive Arkansas Sand Green titles, and went undefeated in Southwest Conference college play. He also won more than 20 four-ball championships around Arkansas. He was inducted into the Arkansas State Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2002. He joined Smart Chevrolet Company in 1948 and worked in the service and sales departments before becoming the Dealer in 1958. He ran the company until 1990 when he turned over the management to sons Lee and Roger. He continued to work full time until 2013 when the dealership moved to White Hall. He served as President of Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association in 1972, following terms as a member of their Board of Directors, Regional Vice President and First Vice President, named a Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award (TMQDA) winner in 1975 at the National Automobile Dealers Association Annual Convention in San Francisco. A director of the National Bank of Commerce from 1958 until 1998, he was active in community affairs, member of the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce, serving three terms as a Chamber board of directors member. With his son Felix he started FG Smart Farming Company in 1981. For 33 years he served as partner, learning the agricultural business, enjoying the beauty of the land, and providing insightful and well-timed financial acumen regarding commodity trading. In youth activities, he was a member of the board of directors of Teen Town, a former director of the Boys Club, and for several years, provided cars for driver education programs at local high schools. Mr. Smart was a lifelong supporter of the United Way, a member of the Pine Bluff Rotary Club and Pine Bluff Country Club. The First United Methodist Church member served on the Administrative Board, was a Sunday school teacher, and was chairman of several church groups, the Administrative Board, and the finance and building fund committees. He married Lynne McNew on December 26, 1947. Preceded in death by his parents, wife and brother Felix G Smart IV (died in 1944 while serving during World War II on the USS Hull), his survivors include his children, Meredith Smart Maxwell of Hot Springs, Felix Smart (Tere) of Altheimer, Lee Smart (Laura) of Pine Bluff, Roger Smart of Hot Springs; sister, Ethel Smart Dunklin of Pine Bluff.; thirteen grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren. Services are Friday, March 20 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Pine Bluff, with a reception following at First United Methodist Church. Memorials requested to First United Methodist Church, Pine Bluff, or the donor's favorite charity. Online condolences: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

Published March 19, 2015

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