Harley R Smith

Harley R. Smith, 83, of Port Huron, was promoted to glory on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at McLaren Port Huron Hospital.

He was born at home on September 30, 1932 to George and May Smith in Goodells. He married Helen Goode in August 1957 in Crab Orchard, West Virginia.

He graduated from Yale High School in 1950, and then served in the U.S. Army as a Corporal in Germany for two years. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Tennessee Temple University, and earned Master’s & Specialist’s Degrees from Michigan State University (go Spartans!). Harley taught and coached 8 years at Garfield Junior High School and taught Political Science and History 30+ years at St. Clair County Community College. He loved softball and was enshrined in the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 as a softball pitcher, player and coach. He played softball competitively 70 years, until he was 82. Among many honors, he won the U.S.S.S.A. National Class B title in 1994 and was second in Class A Division. In 1992, he was MVP at age 60 of the Masters of Modified Tournament (after pitching all 6 games in a row). Harley coached about 1,000 games, and was very softball savvy (challenging many referees on the rules!). He also enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening, and was an avid hunter.

Harley was a devout follower of Christ and strove to advance the Kingdom of God. He was an active member of Ross Bible Church for nearly 50 years, as a former Board Member, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, AWANA Director, choir member, and was involved in many work and outreach endeavors. He was supportive of many mission organizations including Final Frontiers, several Christian Camps, Children’s Bible Hour, and Child Evangelism Fellowship.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen; three children, Brenda (The Rev. Dr. Thomas) Seppo, Ken (Carol) Smith, and Marvin (Lisa) Smith; seven grandchildren, Rebecca (Aaron) Achatz, Andrea (Joshua) Schultz, Dr. Andrew (Caitlyn) Seppo, Aaron Smith, Kelsey Smith, Tyler Smith and Katelynn Smith; three great-grandchildren, Jana Achatz, Tessa Achatz, and Roman Schultz; siblings, George William (Bobbi) Smith, Marilyn (Glen) Schade, Ron (Kathy) Smith, June (Larry) Wiegand, Jim (Betty) Smith, Lynn White, and Delmer (Dorothy) Smith; sisters-in-law, Vera Smith and Linda Smith; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Donna Barber; two brothers, Dale and Larry Smith; a brother-in-law, Gary White; and a grandson, Clayton Smith.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. on Thursday in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home.

Harley’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016 in Ross Bible Church with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. His son-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Seppo, and the Rev. Steve Scott will officiate. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ross Bible Church or Child Evangelism Fellowship. To send condolences, please visit pollockrandall.com.