Don Smith

Don Hulen Smith, age 85, met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 17,2025 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on December 16, 1939, to Rolla Don Smith and Marjorie Williams Smith. Don grew up in Raymondville, Texas where he learned to farm, fish, and became an avid hunter at a very young age. He played high school football and graduated from Schreiner Military Institute in Kerrville, Texas, and in 1964, he graduated from Pan American College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He married his childhood neighbor and friend, Janice Huff Smith on August 30, 1962. Together, they enjoyed 61 blessed years of marriage and raised three daughters in a loving Christian home. 

Don’s true calling was working in the family farming business known as the S & S Seed Company with his father and brother. He took great pride knowing he was following in the footsteps of three generations of cotton farmers. He retired from farming in 1999 so he and Janice could spend more time with their children and grandchildren. Don was a cherished friend by many, lovingly known as “Big D” leaving behind a legacy of kindness and laughter. He enjoyed helping others, always providing humor and made friends everywhere he went. His proudest role was being a father and Papa to his daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. It gives them great peace knowing their parents are now reunited in Heaven. Don was a devoted Christian all his life and helped many find their walk with the Lord. His favorite verse he lived by was 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight”. He lived one day at a time choosing to believe God’s path for his life even when he couldn’t see the outcome.

Don was preceded in death by his loving wife, Janice Huff Smith, and his parents, Rolla Don Smith, and Marjorie Williams Smith, and brother, Gary Lee Smith. He is survived by his three daughters, Jennifer Kaye Smith, Lisa Smith Kuglen (Jeff), and Marcia Smith Prechel (Mike), and his four grandchildren, Caitlin Elizabeth Kuglen, Clay Rolla Kuglen (Beatriz), Megan Nicole Prechel, Matthew George Prechel, and one great-granddaughter, Claira Adele Kuglen. He is also survived by his sister, Patsy Smith Grace and sister-in-law Terry Clark Smith, and many beloved nieces and nephews. The family would like to express deep gratitude to R & R Home Caregivers in San Antonio especially in the last few weeks of Don’s life. 

The family will receive visitors at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. US Highway 77, San Benito, Texas, on Friday, March 7, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. A celebration of life service will take place on Saturday, March 8, at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home Chapel, 1400 W. US Highway 77, San Benito, Texas, at 10:00am. Following the service, Don will be laid to rest at Raymondville Memorial Park. 

Pallbearers are Clay Kuglen, Mike Prechel, Matthew Prechel, Jim Prechel, Andy Burns, and Levi Burns. Honorary pallbearers are Jeff Kuglen, Keith Burns, Richard Burns, David Beaver, Jim Smith, Herb Authier, and Randy Gregory. 

Flowers are welcomed or donations may be made to Calvary Christian School towards the Janice Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund 1815 N. 7th Street, Harlingen, Texas 78550