Harold Don Smith's Obituary
Harold Don Smith
Sunrise to Sunset…with a whole lot of living in between
Harold Don Smith, 77, of Rowlett, passed away February 13, 2025. He was born in San Angelo, Texas November 6, 1947. He was the youngest child of Walter Lawrence and Fannie Mae Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings Walter Smith Jr., Jesse Smith, James Smith, Madaliene Scott, Olen Smith, Mary Green and Charles Smith. Harold shared the November 6 birthday with two of his siblings: Mary and Charles.
Left to mourn and celebrate his life are his beloved wife of 27 years, Janette (Dulan) Smith of Rowlett, son Harold D. Smith Jr. (Joyce), daughter Tanya Smith, son Michael Dulan Jr., (Carmen) and daughter Ashlie Dulan. Harold and Janette have nine wonderful grandchildren: Alex, Jasmin, Jade, Zachary, Janelle, Mikaela, Marcus, Jarrod and Jamall. He is also mourned by a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and special friends.
Harold bragged about growing up “on the hill” on “dirt streets” in San Angelo. He enjoyed baseball, basketball, football, track and his high school social club, the Pathfinders. He attended San Angelo’s Hammond Elementary and Blackshear Junior High. He graduated in the Central High School Class of ’66. At the age of 10, Harold contracted polio, spent his summer learning to walk again and later competed in San Angelo’s Little Olympics. Harold inherited gardening, stamina and work ethics from his mother. He learned a sense of fairness, pragmatism, and working with his hands from his father.
Inspired by hometown coach Ray Hudson, Harold attended the University of Houston on a football scholarship. Harold married his high school sweetheart, Lynell Bland, and to this union, Harold Jr. and Tanya were born. During a pause in college courses, Harold was summoned by Uncle Sam where he served at the Ft. Meade, Maryland US Army Security Agency from 1970 to 1973. After his tour of duty, Harold worked as a software programmer for the Computer Science Corporation in Silver Springs, Maryland. His work included network tracking systems on several NASA projects, including the Apollo SOYUZ program. He worked the midnight to 8:00 a.m. shift and attended school during the day at Bowie State College graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Math.
In 1976, Harold began his career as a Scientific Computer Programmer at E-Systems in Greenville, Texas. In 1978, he earned his Master of Science in Computer Science at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M) in Commerce and later became an adjunct professor at Amber University (now Amberton University). Harold is a 1989 graduate of the Defense Systems Management College. He became a Supervisor, then Manager followed by Director of the prestigious Special Air Mission Program (a fleet of aircraft that included Air Force One). In 1991, he became the first Black Vice President of Communication System Engineering followed by Vice President of Electronic Product Engineering in 1996.
Harold was involved in an advisory capacity with North Carolina A&T, the University of Texas at Dallas, Texas A&M, the University of Texas at Arlington, Wright Patterson AFB and the National Science Foundation. In the 1990’s, Harold was excited that he and his team of Engineers worked with local high schools in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program. Over the years, the schools won national awards and scholarships. The 1993 team was named US First National Champions and all involved were invited to the White House Rose Garden for a celebration.
In 1998, Harold received the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Professional Engineering Achievement. Harold’s career in software engineering spanned E-Systems, Raytheon Aircraft Integration Systems, L3 Communications and eventually Northrop Grumman in Melbourne, Florida. Harold always boasted about the ‘fine Engineers’ with whom he had the pleasure of working. He prided himself on developing and promoting the brightest and the most competent.
Harold was passionate about coaching Harold Jr. and his friends in sports, serving in various leadership roles in the high school booster club and singing in the church choir. He loved watching Tanya cheer and then perform with the band at halftime while wearing her cheer uniform. He always told them to “attack the world; don’t let the world get you.” Harold enjoyed a wide variety of music, loved entertaining, traveling outside the U.S. and was an excellent cook. Family and friends were very important to Harold. He showed his love through his acts of kindness and wonderful meals. There was always a seat at his table!
Harold meticulously designed and maintained his home as if it were an engineering project. He dreamed of writing a book entitled “Value Earned”. This phrase was a play on the business concept of earned value (EV), the use of which catapulted his career. Harold cherished his career, worked hard and earned every reward or accomplishment along the way. He also toyed with the title: “Son that brick wall is hard.” It would be his way to pass on lessons learned to young people. Harold savored life and always said, “Only the Best Will Come My Way.”
Harold stayed strong and fought through cancer, a stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. He was respected and loved by many and will be truly missed.
Viewing for Mr. Smith will be held on February 27th, 2025, from 5-8pm at the Restland Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held on February 28th, 2025, at 2pm at the Restland Funeral Home Memorial Chapel.
To view the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/zjPFFaqLcTc?feature=share
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