SMITH

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Arthur L. “Buddy” Smith Jr. of Norco, 81, residing in Levelland, Texas, passed away Sunday, May 20, 2012, in Levelland. He was born on June 16, 1930, to Arthur L. Smith Sr. and Ida Jones Smith.

Buddy grew up in Norco, graduated from Destrehan High School and attended LSU. In 1951 he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Korean War. After his discharge he worked for a short while at the Shell Oil refinery in Norco, and in 1965 he and a friend started the well-respected and successful Louisiana Insurance Service, which continued to expand into new business ventures over the years. Buddy enjoyed his work and truly treasured and enjoyed the friends he made during his time in business.

He was an active member of the local community, Lions Club and Knights of Columbus and served on the Board of Directors for the Bank of St. Charles. He was instrumental in the success of numerous community projects and in his free time was an avid fisherman.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Shugart of Levelland; four children, Art Smith of Portland, Ore., Jan Montz Duncan and husband Randy of Destrehan, Parke Smith of San Francisco and Don Smith of Portland; former wife Claire Jeanfreau Smith; stepson Edward Shugart and wife Jackie of Levelland; and stepdaughter Sandra Douglass. His grandchildren are Brad Montz (Brooke) and Drew Duncan of Destrehan and Carlie Smith and Slade Smith, both of Portland, and he had a great-granddaughter, Briley Montz, also of Destrehan. His step-grandchildren include Kim Peterson, Rhonda Agnew, Tanya Bramblette, Carrie Grey, Melissa Shugart and Aaron Shugart.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Floyd Smith, and a stepson, Earl Shugart.

A private burial will be held in Ponchatoula under the direction of McKneely & Son.