Otis Paul Smith Jr., 86, Wylie TX, died March 12, 2021, in his home with his wife of 64 years, Emily (Mickey) Smith, and son, David Smith, beside him. He was Paul to the family and friends from his youth, but he was Otis to the rest of the world. Paul was born in Sciotoville, OH, and graduated from Minford High in Minford, OH. He began his career in the US Air Force then spent the majority in the USDA as a Food Inspector.
Paul is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Nancy Smith; adult grandchildren, Jackson, and Nicole Smith; sister, Elizabeth (Larry) Campbell; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Smith. Paul was preceded in death by his father Otis Paul Smith Sr., mother Nelle Mabel Smith, sister Marilyn Stephenson, and brother David Lee Smith.
As a young adult, Paul enjoyed flying single-engine aircraft. His midlife adventures included sailing and scuba diving with friends and family in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. As he grew older, he concentrated on his late-life passion for knitting. He knitted hats, mittens, and slippers for friends, neighbors, and children’s charities. He knitted afghans which won many ribbons, including first place, in the State Fair of Texas.
Paul’s private committal service will be at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211.