Tony Smith Obituary

Tony Ray Smith was born on March 27, 1955, in Pittsburg, Texas, the only child of Willie Ray and Bessie Lee Smith. He grew up in Mt. Pleasant, where he was known for his lively spirit and knack for mischief among his schoolmates. From a young age, Tony had a creative streak not widely known to others. He liked to draw and paint, and had a way with words. He also had a deep love for music. It was no mystery he especially loved singing for the Lord, a gift he carried with him throughout his life. In his youth, that passion led him across the United States and Europe as a member of the Continental Singers. While in college, Tony met Cindy Sue Willbanks. The two married on October 31, 1974, in Midland, Texas, and went on to have three sons shortly after. Tony raised pigs and cows, caring for animals with a mix of tenderness and practicality, often giving them names like Porkchop and T-Bone. In the early nineties, against all odds, Tony and Cindy made the bold decision to forge a new path on their own terms. They drove all the way to the last frontier in a Ford truck packed with canned goods and a winter's worth of Walmart long underwear. Their eldest son-just 15 at the time-followed behind in a Geo Metro. The family settled into a dry cabin in Delta Junction, Alaska, and began building a new life quite literally from the ground up. Tony worked for many years in the oil and gas industry as a project manager, spending much of that time on the North Slope. Eventually, he grew tired of the harsh winters and purchased 2 acres on the Big Island of Hawai i, lush with red flowering 'ohi'a lehua trees. He and Cindy had envisioned a future there, a place where their sons could come together through both the building process and beyond. But before that dream could be realized, Cindy passed away. Her death took a great toll on Tony. He mourned her deeply for 14 years. Though he continued working and traveling between Alaska and Texas to care for his father, he left Hawai i behind and vowed never to return. But God had other plans. To each of their surprise, Tony reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Cindy Lou Daniel. Their bond was instant and unmistakable. Tony was ready to love her like no other. Cindy Lou's neon colors and quiet wit brought more joy and laughter back into his life than there had been in a long time. They believed their love was a gift from God, and from that moment on, they rarely spent seconds apart. Together, they returned to the Big Island, this time settling on 14 beautiful acres in Na'alehu. There, they inherited two cats, Yellow Baby and a friendly stray tom-five chickens (Biddie, who liked Tony best, Edith, Big Red, Little Red, and one nameless hen), and a roaming herd of wild pigs Tony fully intended to butcher. They attended Na'alehu Assembly of God, where Tony quickly became part of the worship team. The rich tones of his deep bass voice carried the melody in Sunday services, most often delivered in denim, a button-down shirt, and his ever-present Crocs. He had the kind of wit that didn't ask for your attention. It took it. Dry as the desert, sharp as a tack, and timed like a punchline you didn't see coming until you were already doubled over. He didn't have to raise his voice to turn a whole room; he just raised an eyebrow. His humor wasn't loud, but it echoed and it lingered. It made you think and laugh, sometimes uncomfortably, often at yourself. Tony was a giver. Quiet, steady, and generous to a fault. He was always setting projects up, passing along opportunities, and planning ways to support the people he loved, especially his sons. He loved his boys fiercely, each in their own way. He walked out his faith daily, loved Jesus deeply and shared that with everyone. He worried about nothing and prayed about everything. When Tony loved, he loved big and wide. You were better for having known him and for having been loved by him. He never claimed to have all the answers but lived by unwavering principles, faithfully walking in God's promise to the very end. After a short illness, Tony transitioned into glory on June 24, 2025, with his wife by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Ray and Bessie Lee Smith, and by his first wife, Cindy Sue Smith. He is survived by his wife, Cindy Lou Smith; his three sons: Jeremy Ray Smith and wife Andrea Egleston, and their daughter Sienna (Soldotna, Alaska); Brantley Colin Smith (Big Lake, Alaska); and Casey Lind Smith and his son Ronan (Fairbanks, Alaska). A visitation for Tony will be held at the Bates-Cooper-Sloan Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday June 29 beginning at 2:00 P.M. with services to follow at 3:00 P.M with Bro. Jerry Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at the Mt. Vernon City Cemetery. An online registry is now available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com