Carlin Smith Sr.

Carlin Smith, Sr., was born on November 9, 1932, in Kansas City, MO, to Carson and Grace Smith. He and his twin brother Carson were the second and third sons of a family of five children. While growing up in Kansas City, MO, Carlin and his brothers spent the summers fishing in Mexico, MO, while visiting their grandmother Mama Smith.

He graduated from R.T. Coles High School in Kansas City, MO. After high school, in 1953, he joined the US Army and served eight years. His service granted him the distinction of Korean War Veteran, the recipient of the National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct medal. He achieved the rank of PFC. He continued his service to this country by working at Railway Mail and the United States Postal Service, where he retired after many years of successful service.

Through his love of sports, he participated with his twin brother and baby brother, Ronald (Petey), in a local baseball team called the Bulldogs for about six years. His love of sports continued throughout his life, including being one of the first black men in the Kansas City area to become a season ticket holder to the Kansas City Chiefs football team and an avid Kansas City Royals baseball fan. He coached his sons in various sports and collected priceless memorabilia, such as his treasured 50-year season ticket holder football presented to him by the Kansas City Chiefs organization.

Carlin married his beloved wife, Dorothy Gaines Smith, on June 1, 1952. They were happily married for 70 glorious years. Carlin loved his family; together, he and his brother built the home where Carlin and his wife raised their children and served as the gathering place for generations to come. The beloved estate at 5614 Bellefontaine housed his treasured model railway station, which he also built. Carlin loved walking and listening to his jazz. Whether it was an old-school headphone set, an mp3, or an iPod, Carlin had his jazz!

Carlin Smith Sr., 89, departed this life on July 11, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carson Smith and Grace Maples, his beloved son, Timothy Smith, his borthers Jimmy and Ronald Smith, his sister, Joyce Robinson, and his brothers, Carson Smith, Jr., and Oneil Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, one daughter, Deborah Williams; four sons, Carlin Smith Jr. (Valerie), Darwin Smith, Nathan Smith, and Willie Smith (Trish); his sister, Ella Maples; 16 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other loving friends and family.