Thurman G. Smith

Thurman G. Smith, 94, of Fayetteville passed away Monday, October 6, 2014 in Fayetteville. He was born February 2, 1920 in Poughkeepsie, Arkansas to Allen G. and Ada Mayflower Freeman Smith. Thurman lived and grew up in Poughkeepsie helping on his family's farm. He graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1938. He entered Arkansas College now Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. He played basketball and was an excellent defensive player. "Smitty" as his friends knew him, was always assigned to the opponents best offensive player. After finishing his Junior year he joined the United States Coast Guard serving in Alameda, California, San Francisco, Honolulu, T.H. Baltimore, Maryland at Ft. McHenry and in St. Louis. During his time he served as Seaman and Port Security Specialist, he trained in stowage of explosives. He was Honorably Discharged October 31, 1945. He married Etta Virginia John on February 22, 1947. He graduated from Arkansas College in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Social Science and minoring in Physical Education. He coached basketball and taught in rural schools in Sharp and Fulton counties in Arkansas. He employed by Cave City High School from 1947 to 1952. He received his Masters of Education Degree from the University of Arkansas in 1955. He was Superintendent at Vandale, Arkansas Schools before moving to Springdale in 1957 where he taught Business Math and World History at Springdale High School. He served as Administrative Assistant to Superintendent, J.O. Kelly from 1958 - 1963. Mr. Smith served as Superintendent of the Springdale School System from 1963 until 1982 during which time he earned a Diploma of Advanced Study from the University of Arkansas. Thurman oversaw enormous growth of the Springdale School System during this time, while raising his family. He is preceded in death by the mother of his four children and his first wife, Etta Virginia John Smith December 29, 1983 and granddaughter Melissa Virginia Smith August 2, 1982. He then married Lena Mildred Bohannon Cunningham and they moved to Springfield, Missouri where Mildred was an Associate Professor of Management at Southwest Missouri State University, now Missouri State University. Thurman enjoyed a lot of time on the golf course and they enjoyed traveling. They moved to Fayetteville in 2000. Mr. Smith was a member of the First Christian Church in Springdale where he served as a Deacon, Elder and Chairman of the Board. He was a member of Springdale Chamber of Commerce, Springdale Rotary Club, member and past President of Springdale Kiwanis Club and the Springdale Country Club. Mr. Smith was a member of American Association of School Administrators, Arkansas Education Association of Educational Administrators and is a life member of the National Education Association. Survivors include his wife, Mildred; three sons, Charles Smith, Thurman Smith Jr. and John Smith; one daughter, Ann Pullin; three daughters-in-law, Karen, Debra and Debbie; one son-in-law, Bill Pullin; nine grandchildren and their spouses, Allen and Carrie, Chris and Kristie, Jeremy and Lety, Greg, Sarah, Steven Pickett and Kristin, Jason and Wendy and Matt; thirteen great grandchildren, Shelby, Tyler, Abbey, Saxon, Slayde, Kennedy, Cici, Melissa, Abigail, Ashley, Tri-Star, Mila and Kaedon. Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale. Burial will follow at Bluff Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Springdale Public Schools Education Foundation, 800 E. Emma Ave., Suite 327, Springdale, Arkansas 72764 and Alzheimers Association, 210 Walton Blvd., Bentonville, Arkansas 72712. Online condolences at www.siscofuneral.com.