I was born in Teneha, Texas, October 26, 1916, on a cotton farm. Soon my family moved to the west Texas town of Marfa where I grew up and graduated from high School there in 1934, and I participated in Tennis, Football, and track. I grew up in the Jail in Marfa. My stepfather was Sheriff for 16 years and we had a ranch 35 miles south of the town. When we were not in school we had to work in town or be at the ranch.
How I became a Doctor of Chiropractic is a long story. I wanted to be a rancher but that was not profitable and my parents said “no” to that. Since I worked in a Drug store after school I decided I would be a druggist. I went to the University of Texas in Austin in 1934 and ‘35 and to Sul Ross in ‘35 and ‘36. I was most unhappy at that endeavor. Then I met a young Doctor of Chiropractic on a picnic. I asked him questions about his profession and he was excited about his work, what he did and the results he was getting. The next day I went to his office and asked for something to read. Soon I had made up my mind that I wanted to be a Doctor of Chiropractic. I left Sul Ross and went to the Texas Chiropractic College in San Antonio. I graduated in 1938. I have been an enthusiastic Doctor of Chiropractic ever since.
I came to El Paso when I graduated and times were hard when I started out. For months I didn’t have a single patient. Then the tide turned. I have been extremely busy ever since.
To my knowledge I have held every TCA office in this area. I was the State Director and I was the convention chairman for the State convention held here in 1957. I have had as patients some of the most prominent and well known people, both nationally and internationally. I served on the Board of Examiners for 12 years and was its president two times. I’ve been a Director of the American Bank of Commerce for about 20 years, I’m a 32 degree Mason, I have made numerous talks before various groups in the city and appeared several times as an expert witness in trials here in El Paso.
In 1941 I married Lois Andre and we have three children and seven grandchildren. Sandy, our oldest daughter, is married to a dentist in Sherman. Shelley, our youngest daughter, is married to the Chairman of the Board of a Bank. They live in Rockwall. We have a son who is married and practices with me. At present he is President of the TCA. The entire Smith family are college graduates and have a profession.
I am a member of the Methodist church and have been very active in Church work. I was an officer in World War II as a pilot. I flew transports (C-46) and saw service in New Guinea, Leyte, I guess all of the Philippines, Okinawa, le Shima, Iwo Jima and I was over the Battleship Missouri when General MacArthur told Hirohito to sign the peace treaty.
I have worked for this profession with many great Doctors, men and women. There is an old saying that there is no such thing as a self-made man. I believe that. Some of those great people are dead, others are still alive. Without their help I would never have been worthy of this most cherished trophy. I can only say “thanks” to so many.
I am the 52nd recipient of the Keeler Plaque.
