Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory
Max Leon Smith, Sargent First Class, U.S. Army Retired, 78, of Sunrise Beach Village, Texas, formerly of San Antonio, Texas, passed away January 11, 2021. He was born to Ervin Lee and Ola Mae (Falkner) Smith on January 7, 1943 in Velasco, Texas.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Elva Claire Smith on March 4, 1964 in Glen Rose, Texas. He faithfully served his country in the U.S. Army for 20 years. He was a battlefield medic during the Vietnam War and received the Combat Medical Badge, the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars (one with Valor), and a Silver Star medal. Though he was a hero to our country and family, he was always humbled by the recognition, instead focusing on others who served alongside him.
Max was an avid hunter and fisherman, and greatly enjoyed the outdoors. He also enjoyed taking trips to the gulf coast, and an occasional poker game. He loved the family cruise he and Elva took with their children and grandchildren.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family, who adored him. He is survived by his wife, Elva Claire Smith, son Michael Lee Smith and wife Jennifer Dennis Smith, son Stephen Dean Smith and wife Amanda Dirmeyer Smith, grandchildren Gillian Renee Smith, Max Lee Smith, and Sydney Nicole Smith, and nephew Geremy Paul Martin. All will miss him dearly but are eternally grateful to have been blessed with the best patriarch, who instilled in them the value of family and the responsibility to serve others. .
Graveside funeral services will be 1:30 pm, Monday, January 18, 2021 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. An online guest register and maps can be found at www.PutnamCares.com. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Packsaddle Elementary School, c/o Ms. Scheiner, 150 Pioneer Lane, Kingsland, Texas, 78639. Donations will be used to meet the needs of students in the Kingsland area. This was something Max and Elva enjoyed doing over the years.
Arrangements by Putnam Funeral Home & Crematory, 145 Texas Avenue Kingsland, Texas 78639.
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