Delos V. Smith

Delos Smith, 97, of Gordonville, Texas, formerly of Britt, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2016.

A private Masonic Funeral Service will be held at 9 AM at Ewing Funeral Home, 178 Center Street West in Britt.

A Prayer Service will be held on Monday, October 3, 2016, at 11 AM at The United Methodist Church, 707 4^th Street Southwest in Britt.  Visitation will be held an hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Burial will be held following the services at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

Delos Virgil Smith was born on August 4, 1919 to Benjamin and Tressie (Harris) Smith in Golden Gate, Wayne County, Illinois, his family being the first white settlers of Wayne County, Illinois.

Delos was united in marriage to Vivian Ethel Mewes on June 29, 1941, in St. Charles, Missouri.  The couple farmed near Mansfield, Illinois until moving to Britt in 1955.  They continued to farm outside of Britt until retiring in 1995.  Delos held the honor proudly of being named the Iowa Master Corn Grower and Iowa Master Soybean Grower for his top yields numerous times during the 70’s.

They began spending time in Florida in 1950 and eventually started wintering in South Texas in 1974.

Delos was a Charter Member of the Britt Country Club and enjoyed playing golf there.  Anything western a novel, a movie, music or real life experiences, Delos was a cowboy at heart and loved riding his mare, Rene Silver.  Delos was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and was the proud owner of Jacks Sparklin Deck and Cool Tarde Kid.  Delos enjoyed fishing in Iowa streams, Minnesota lakes and had many memorable fishing trips to Canada.  Delos enjoyed traveling and was lucky enough to cross off most places on his bucket list.

As a man of strong faith, he was a member of the Britt United Methodist Church, Sunday School Superintendent and was an active member of the Bethel Masonic Lodge in Garner, Iowa, being a masonic member for over 62 years.   As a member of the Britt O.E.S. Chapter, Delos was Worthy Patron, alongside his wife, Vivian as Worthy Matron.

Delos is survived by his children, Sandra, her husband, Jim Fuller, and their son, Clay of Gordonville, Texas, and Dan Smith and his wife Brenda of Britt, and their children, Bobbie Jo, Dustie, Charity, David Smith, and three great-grand children, his sister, Mary Breen of Tuscola, Illinois and Judy Mewes, St. Joseph, Illinois, sister-in-law of his wife, Vivian.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers- Carl, Charles and Glen, one sister, Doris Mason and his wife Vivian.