Carl Clifton Smith
October 7, 1932 - September 4, 2023

We are all given just so many breaths. Through those breaths, we form words, either for good and blessing, or for harm and hurting. What a wonderful gift God gave us in having the ability to bless others by a simple word or statement.

As his son-in-law, I first knew him as Carl. His daughter, Stacy (my wife), first knew him as Dad. In time, after our children were born, we all came to know him as Paw Paw. We could not have asked for a better "Paw Paw" for our kids. As a Captain for most of his 32 years with the Dallas Fire Department, Carl was known as "King Carl". God knew what Carl needed…grandkids, and oh, what a difference they made! Over time, he became the sweetest, kindest, happiest, most generous man you could ever hope to know. On Wednesday, August 30th, Carl suffered a major stroke that left him blind and with indiscernible speech. As he lay there in his hospital bed, fighting to get up, and mumbling as he tried to communicate, I stood over him and loudly said, "Carl, remember Jesus…remember the name Jesus!" What happened next was yet again another act of mercy from God, for those who would be left behind. For the first time, Carl clearly responded, "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe!" Over the next 24 hours, once we were back at his apartment with hospice, God graciously allowed Carl to regain his speech for a day. No longer struggling, though still blind, in a state of childlike trust and surrender, Carl often smiled and chuckled...especially when his great grandchildren came running in and waving as they approached him, saying, "Hi Paw Paw, hi! Hi Paw Paw hi!" At one point, when Stacy and I were sitting silently on each side of his bed, Carl, who couldn't see us, said, "I love all of you so much. As far as I am concerned, you're the best!" I've heard it often said, "It's not how you start, but how you finish." I believe this is true. Philippians 3:13-14 states, "…but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Carl finished well, and blessed us with final words of kindness and love. On September 4th, 2023, Carl Clifton Smith heard Louise (his sweetheart of 65 years who passed five weeks earlier) say, "Carl, what took you so long?" 😊

Carl is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Stacy & Zach Stateson of Denton, Texas; His three grandchildren: Aaron Stateson, his wife Daryn, and their two boys, Teddy & McCoy; Ashleigh Stateson; & Micah Stateson, his wife Rachel and their two children, Caleb and Ellie. He is also survived by several cousins, in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

The memorial service followed by a graveside service, will be Saturday, September 23rd, at 10:00am at Good Samaritan Village Chapel in Denton, Texas (2500 Hinkle Drive). The family respectfully requests that in lieu of sending flowers, please consider giving to someone in need. We would like to thank all of you for being such a dear part of Carl's (Paw Paw's) life.