Charles "Chuck" Smith

Charles

Funeral services for Charles "Chuck" Smith, 82, of Lusk, was held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 16, 2012, at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds in Lusk, with Pastor Tom Strock of the First Baptist Church officiating. Graveside services will be performed by the officers of Lusk Elks Lodge #1797. He passed away Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.

Charles "Chuck" Smith was born in Newcastle, Wyo., on June 5, 1930 to Albert M. and Violet (Hurt) Smith. The family lived in the Cheyenne River Community for many years, moving to Lusk when he was in the fifth grade. He graduated from Lusk High School in May, 1949. He was an outstanding athlete in both football and basketball.

He married his high school sweetheart, Patricia "Pat" Ruffing, in October, 1949. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1999. They lived on various ranches around the county until moving to Lusk in 1956. He worked for Independent Refinery, Sioux Oil, and C&H Refinery. He also owned a Sinclair Gas Station for a period of time. He then went to work for Niobrara County as a Maintenance Engineer in charge of their buildings. He retired from there in 1994, but continued to drive his school bus route until May, 2011, when he retired from that after having driven the bus for 33 years. After his retirement, he continued to drive the school bus part time until his death.

He was a 4-H leader for 20 years, and a volunteer fireman for 33 years, where he ran as the plugman for their tournament team for 28 years. He also served as a volunteer EMT with the local ambulance service for 20 years, 15 of which he was the director. He was president of the Wyoming State Volunteer Firemen's Association, and was elected as Outstanding State EMT in 1987.

He joined the Elks Lodge in 1972 and immediately became active in their youth activities programs. He was Hoop Shoot director for 30 years, and chairman of the Scholarship Committee for over 25 years. He served as Exalted Ruler for two terms, was DGER in 1988, and President of the Wyoming State Elks Association in 1992. He was named Distinguished Elk of the Year 1999-2000 by the Wyoming Elks State Association.

He is survived by three daughters and two sons: Fran (Ron) Albertson of Rapid City, S. Dak.; Jackie (Mark) Rhoades of Longmont, Colo.; Vickie (Steve) Jordan of Douglas, Wyo.; Charles "Lee" (Dee) Smith of Navarre, Fla.; and Stan (Carol) Smith of San Antonio, Tex; and seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers and three sisters: Jim Smith of Los Lunas, N. Mex.; Doug Smith of Neb.; Josephine (Wally) Kelly of Milton-Freewater, Ore.; Clarabelle Davis of Lusk, Wyo.; and Mary (Morris) Shiley of Quincey, Ill.; and sister-in-law Patricia Smith of Lusk, Wyo., and mother-in-law Bess Ruffing.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, in 2006; his grandson, Neil Jordan; his parents Albert and Violet Smith; and brothers George, Frank, John, and Delbert.

In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials to the Lusk Elks Local Scholarship Fund, the Niobrara Senior Center, the State Elks WEST fund; or a charity of the donor's choice.

Pier Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

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