Julian Eidson Smith

JULIAN EIDSON SMITH, 95, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather died in Little Rock on October 31, 2019, as a result of a stroke suffered earlier in the week. He was the eldest son of John Olin and Prue Eidson Smith and was born on September 5, 1924, in Little Rock. Except for his college years and military service, Julian was a lifelong resident of Pulaski County, graduating from Little Rock Senior High School. A "leftie," he played baseball for the American Legion Doughboys but his plan to play college ball was interrupted by the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the United States' entry into World War II. Enlisting in the US Army Air Corps, Smitty received extensive training as a pilot and was assigned to the 9th Bomb Group, 99th Squadron, 313th Wing and stationed at Tinian in the South Pacific where he captained a B-29 Superfortress. After the close of the war, he continued to serve his country in the Reserves, eventually being honorably discharged in 1957 with the rank of Captain. Returning to Arkansas in 1946, Smitty enrolled at the University of Arkansas, graduating with a BS in Business Administration in 1949. He was a charter member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and an ardent and lifelong supporter of the Razorbacks. During these years he met his love, and "dance partner for life," Sybil Abrams. They married August 27, 1949, and enjoyed 68 years together until Sybil's death in 2017, establishing their home and raising three daughters in Little Rock. Julian spent his entire business career in sales at Graybar Electric Company and he was involved in some of Arkansas' largest post-WWII building projects including Baptist Medical Center, Worthen, First Commercial and Union Bank buildings, Park Plaza shopping center and numerous industrial plants such as International Paper Mill /Pine Bluff, Whirlpool, Maybelline, and Remington. Julian was an active member of First United Methodist Church and a proud 32nd-degree Mason. After retirement he volunteered as a blood transporter with the American Red Cross often taking his grandchildren along on car trips across the state. A voracious reader, he and Sybil enjoyed membership in The Bookfellows. Smitty maintained an inquisitive curiosity about new experiences and people to the end of his life. He had extraordinary recall for events that occurred throughout his life and could captivate audiences while reminiscing. A gifted, natural athlete, Julian dedicated countless hours in his quest to master the game of golf. Though alternating between elation and frustration, he always enjoyed time spent on the course and the friends he made there. Proud bearer of several holes-in-one, his game benefitted as he aged, and he regularly shared that he "shot under his age." He had a weekly tee time well into his 90s. Another joy in Smitty's life was exploring new places. Recognizing, courtesy of his Air Corps years, that the world is vast, he and Sybil set out to experience people and cultures unknown, eventually visiting 70 countries across five continents. During quintessential summer vacations, the family thoroughly explored the United States and Julian and Sybil especially enjoyed the 20 summers spent in Summit County, Colorado. One of the greatest gifts they gave their daughters and granddaughters was an appreciation of, and desire to see new places. Julian is survived by his three daughters, Julianne Wiedower and son-in-law William, Teresa Cowan and son-in-law David, and his beloved Nancy Deborah Smith. Also surviving are his four grandchildren, Elizabeth Wiedower Jackson (Adam) of Houston, Texas, Jennifer Wiedower of Washington DC, Patrick Cowan of Little Rock and Sarah Cowan of Little Rock; and great grandson, Julian Russell Jackson, as well as his brother, William A. Smith of Warrenton, Virginia, sister-in-law Joan Smith of San Antonio, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers Carl T. Smith, and John O. Smith, brothers-in-law Charles W. (Mickey) Abrams and W. Nash Abrams, and sisters-in-law Mary S. Smith and Theresa B. Smith. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. A visitation will be held at Ruebel on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, from 5-7 p.m. The family graveside service will be conducted by Rev. Jeff Hampton at Pinecrest Memorial Park on Wednesday, November 6, 2019. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Tee of Central Arkansas, thefirstteecentralarkansas.org, Friends of the Little Rock Animal Village, 7401 Colonel Glenn Road #4026, Little Rock, Ark. 72204, CARTI Foundation, PO Box 55011 Little Rock, Ark., 72215, or First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, Ark., 72201.