MSG Darrell T. Smith's Obituary
Darrell Travis Smith, 37, of Houston, Texas passed away in his sleep on May 9th, 2023 in Spring, TX. He was born on October 14, 1985 to Elmer Smith and Darrelyn (Chaffin) Smith in Houston, TX. Darrell loved being a Texan and claimed his home state proudly wherever he went in the world.
Darrell was only more proud of the family he loved. He married his wife Jennifer (Swarts) Smith on September 8, 2022 in Austin, Texas and they were planning a long happy life together after his impending military retirement. He also had two boys, Jack Smith whose Karate moves kept him excited to see more; Ryan Smith who made him proud showing animals and one stepston, Alexander Lewis who he loved watching play soccer. There was never a time he was not proud to be their father. Darrell was also fortunate to be loved by some amazing pups, his Belgian Malinois service dog, Ashley and two labradors, Walter and Nova.
He was a soldier in the United States Army, serving as a Master Sergeant in the Infantry. And not just any infantry. Darrell proudly served with the 75th Ranger Regiment for much of his career and completed several combat deployments in service to his country. Master Sergeant Smith’s assignments include: 3/7 Infantry, Ft. Stewart GA, Southern Iraq (2007), 3rd Infantry Division, Anbar, Iraq (2010), 75th Ranger Regiment (2012-2016) where he would deploy to Afghanistan and the Republic of Korea, Kabul, Afghanistan (2017) and then again in 2019. Master Sergeant Smith sustained several combat related injuries and transitioned to the Soldier Recovery Unit at Ft. Sam, Houston, San Antonio after a brief assignment at Army Future’s Command in Austin, TX.
Darrell loved to be on a range, in the sky under canopy, spending any kind of time around horses, working his service dog, playing with his boys, talking with his bigger boys, smoking cigars, and spending time with his wife. He was a horror movie fan and enjoyed making people watch them and scare them senseless at just the right time. He loved to laugh and would do anything to make someone he cared about find theirs. He took great pride in the relationships he built with others and would work tirelessly for those he called his.
He is survived by both his parents Elmer Smith II of Houston, Texas and Darrelyn Smith of Grapeland Texas and stepfather Don Fleener also of Grapeland, TX. He is also survived by one brother, Elmer James Smith III (Jesse) and wife Sandy of Slatington, PA, and two sisters, Wendy Chaffin Villarreal of Crosby, TX and Carrie Ann Chaffin of Elkhart, TX. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to these organizations that meant something to Darrell: All Secure Foundation (https://www.allsecurefoundation.org) or the Sua Sponte Foundation (https://suaspontefoundation.org/).
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