Cain Calcutt Stephens Funeral Home
http://www.cainfh.com
Galen Hartman Smith, Jr., age 96, of Florence, South Carolina, peacefully passed away following declining health on January 28, 2024 at McLeod Hospice House in Florence, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Galen Hartman Smith, Sr., and Elsie (Lazear) Smith of Wellsburg, West Virginia. Galen was born on July 31, 1927, and grew up in Wellsburg, West Virginia, the oldest of two children. He attended Wellsburg High School, where he graduated in 1945. Following high school, Galen served during World War II in the constabulary for the United States Army in Germany from 1945-1947, Service Company 5th Calvary Regiment. Upon his return, he attended West Virgina University. He married his college sweetheart, Lucille Ann Papa on February 1, 1950, where they lived and worked in Morgantown, West Virginia while completing their education. After graduation with a degree in accounting, they settled in their home town of Wellsburg, West Virgina. He worked as a cost accountant at Weirton Steel in Weirton, West Virginia until his retirement in 1983. Galen and his wife Lucille eventually moved to Florence, South Carolina, then to Carolina Shores, North Carolina, then back to Wellsburg, before finally moving back to Florence where they settled to be near their children. While living in Wellsburg, he was a member of the American Legion in Wellsburg, the Wellsburg Lions Club, the Wellsburg Masonic Lodge, a member of the Wellsburg Chapter of the Osiris Shriners, Wheeling, West Virginia. He served as treasurer for each of these organizations. Galen was also a member of The Governor's Golden Mountaineer Program for Senior Citizens. After retiring from work, he helped keep books at Williams Country Club in Weirton, West Virginia. He and the family were members of the Wellsburg United Methodist Church. While living in Carolina Shores, North Carolina, Galen was a bookkeeper for Sea Trail Golf Club. When he and Lucille lived in Florence, they opened and co-owned the Medicine Shoppe pharmacy franchise where he did the books while Lucille dispensed the medicines. In his younger days, he loved to play golf with friends and neighbors. Galen loved a good meal of "surf-and-turf", word puzzles, movies (he worked as an usher in Wellsburg at the movie theater as a teenager), and the occasional good glass of wine. He was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Florence, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his father, Galen Sr., mother, Elsie, wife, Lucille, and sister, Ella (Smith) Kasmarik. He is survived by sons, Galen Hartman Smith, III (wife Martha) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Gary Lee "Mark" Smith of Florence, South Carolina, and Greg Lynn Smith (wife Susan) of Greenville, North Carolina; granddaughters Amanda Jo Smith of New York City, New York, and Emily Camille Smith (Hurst) (husband Will) of Greensboro, North Carolina, and niece, Lisa Kasmarik Brichta (partner Tim Buchanon) of Bowling Green, Ohio, nephew Michael Kasmarik (wife Tamara) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and nephew Duane Kasmarik (wife Danielle) of Suwanee, Georgia. Arrangements are being made by Cain Calcutt Funeral Home in Florence, South Carolina. A memorial service will be announced in the future. Memorial donations can be made to McLeod Hospice, 1203 East Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29506 or to a charity of your choice.
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