Jerry "Smitty" Doyle Smith

Jerry Smith went home to be with his Savior the morning of December 7, 2023, at Five Point Nursing and Rehab Center of Amarillo.  Jerry, known as “Smitty” by friends and family was born April 9, 1938, in Clayton, New Mexico to James C. and Fannie Smith.

He graduated from Clayton High School in 1956.  He loved playing football, basketball, and other sports as a “Clayton Yellow Jacket.” He gained life-long friends during those years.  His senior year he began dating Karel Atchley who became his wife and love of his life in 1958.  They were happily married for 65 years.

He served in the Air National Guard for eight years while working for Mountain States Telephone Company in Albuquerque.  After a few years, he started working for Sierra Life Ins. Co. which required him to move to Portales, New México and later to Roswell, New Mexico.  He and Karel raised their two sons, Rick and William in Roswell.   When Karel accepted a call to the ministry in Odessa, Texas, Jerry moved there and went back to his Telephone Co. experience to form a business installing telephone systems in homes and businesses.  This served him well when he followed Karel to Amarillo, Tx. where he formed “AMTEL Communications.” He owned and operated this business until he retired.

Jerry was famous for his humorous one-liners and loved playing card games.  He coached little league baseball and basketball for both of his sons and helped them in Boy Scouting.   He enjoyed building things out of wood such as chairs for the Cabin deck and a Book Nook for the Cabin community in Colorado.  He loved fishing, golfing, and going to the mountains.  He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He served as an usher and in many other ways where he was a member of a church that Karel was serving.   His faith was deep, and he led by example.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers J.C. Smith, Ralph, Bernard, Hubert; sisters Viola, Dorothy, and Genevieve.

He is survived by his wife, Karel, two sons, Dr. Rick Smith (wife Dwinna) and Dr. William Smith and grandchildren Rob Smith, Krystal Hodge, (husband Cody) Zach Smith (Chantel) and Reid Smith; great grandchildren Kyah Hodge, Caleb Hodge, Clayton Hodge, Colton Hodge, Marlie Smith, Kinsley Smith and Kacie Smith.  He is also survived by a host of nephews, nieces and dear friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity.