Mickey Wes Smith (Tulia)

Mickey Wes Gauntt Smith, 65, went Home on April 5, 2022, at his home surrounded by his immediate family.  Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 3:00 PM at the family home, Renata Sunset Cemetery, 1475 FM 3030 Silverton, TX 79257. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia.

Mickey was born on August 12, 1956 in Tulia, Texas. He graduated from Valley High School in 1975.   He earned his Future Farmers of America degree and was recognized as an All-District, All-Regional, All-State and All- American Football Player.  He was active in 4-H horse shows, hunting and camping.

He married his High School sweetheart Debra Jo Gragson on his 19th birthday. Mickey was a man of many and varied talents. He worked as a mechanic for Brown-McMurtry Implement Company in Turkey, Texas after graduation.  Mickey was a farmhand for Ronald Mullin until becoming a commercial beekeeper. Mickey obtained his pilot's license and that was a second joy to his horses.

Mickey was employed at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Tulia Unit, until his retirement in 2014.   Mickey worked as a High Rider and Community Service liaison.  Some of his crews' community services and accomplishments included updating and remodeling the daycare center, the old theatre, and the Tulia Depot.  His community squad helped do clean up after the Tulia and Happy tornadoes.  He was deployed to Hurricane Katrina.  He was honored with the Texans Helping Texans award twice during his tenure with TDCJ. 

Mickey was instrumental in remodeling, maintaining, and helping in all aspects with the Turkey Gem Theatre and their guests.

Mickey was a Senior Member of the Tiger Shark Civil Air Patrol #353, helping cadets with aerospace, search and rescue.  He traveled many states and many miles with cadets.

Mickey is preceded in death by his father, Carl Gauntt, younger brother Mark Shane Smith and  very special in-laws Tommy and Lawana Wynn Gragson Cruse.

Mickey is survived by his wife of 46 plus years Debra, of the home; his daughters, Wynter Cato and husband Paul of Silverton, TX., Tara Shelburne and husband Phillip of Rockport, TX.   His grandchildren, Evan, Everett,  Robert Grant, Shad, Landon, Brody, Ottilie and Cherokee Cato.  Tristan, Rafe, and Jodi Shelburne.  Four great-grandchildren, Ransom, Erik Autry, Ellisyn Cato and Bentley Shelburne.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Scottish Rite for Children, https://scottishriteforchildren.org/.

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