Bobby "Bob" Joe Smith, 67, was born on January 29, 1957 in Dallas, Texas. Bob enlisted in the Navy in 1974 and served as an engineer on one of the first nuclear submarines. It was while he was on leave visiting Kansas City, Missouri with a shipmate that he met the love of his life, Myrna "Jeanne" Fearnside. From the moment Bob met Jeanne, he was smitten.

Divine intervention may have been what ultimately brought the two together. Bob would tell the story of that trip when he met Jeanne: after meeting her, he was driving to Dallas to visit family and he stopped at a rural intersection for far too long, debating whether he should proceed forward or turn around and go back to Missouri to court Jeanne. A Texas State Trooper pulled up behind Bob and came up to his door to ask if there was a problem. Bob presented his dilemma. The Trooper told him to turn around and pursue Jeanne and Bob did just that; funny thing is, Bob's father knew all the Troopers in the area, and the Trooper that talked to Bob didn't exist. A true mystery!

Bob was successful in wooing Jeanne and they recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. During Bob's Navy service, the young couple was blessed with the birth of their son, Brian. After Bob's honorable discharge, the young family moved to Jeanne's hometown of Kansas City for a few years before settling back in Texas.

Bob enjoyed a long career of over 33 years with the City of Garland where he worked as a programmer for the city's utility systems; however, his greatest joys included spending time with his family and dear friends. Fly fishing was one of Bob's great passions and he took pride in tying his own flies and spending time out in nature. Bob also took immense pride in his granddaughter. Spending time with her and celebrating her academic and artistic successes brought him joy.

A man of strong faith, Bob was a long-time member of Orchard Hills Baptist Church in Garland and Bethlehem Baptist Church in Farmersville, where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher.

Bob was called home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 8, 2024 after a long battle with a liver disease. He is preceded in death by his mother, Cathrine, and sister, Judy. Bob is survived by his wife, Jeanne, son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Jennifer, granddaughter, Avery, sister, Cathy (Paul), and father, Billy. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.