Charles "Lance" Smith, 72, of Cuero, passed away Friday, June 1, 2018.  He was born September 21, 1945 in New Orleans, LA to the late Vernon Duane and Vallie Belle Eubank Smith.  At an early age Lance fell in love with music.  Although he could never read sheet music, he could pick up any instrument and play.  Sports were also a big part of Lance's life growing up.   The world changed for Lance when Vietnam began and at the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy.  He was proud to serve his country.   Lance married the love of his life, Jeanette Therese Kolodziejcyk, on May 25, 1979 in Houston.  They were married in the Catholic church on August 11, 1988 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Westhoff.  Lance was the youngest District Sales Rep. for Texas Industrial Laundry Services, assistant manager of several Tire and Auto centers, and also worked for DeWitt County.   Lance had a heart for people.  It was said that he would stop and help anyone that needed him, whether it was fixing or flat or helping a neighbor that had just been released from the hospital.  He enjoyed spending time hunting , fishing, and trading stories with friends.

Lance is survived by his loving wife of 39 years; sons, Charles Lance Smith Jr. of Anchorage, AK and Stephen Wayne Smith of Frankfurt, Germany; sister, Cindy (Mike) Henry; sister-in-law, Dorothy McCrory; and grandchildren, Kaitlen Elizabeth Smith, Micheal Delaney Smith of Alaska and Lizzy Smith of Germany.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Devanny Sue Gortemiller; brother-in-law, Randy Gortemiller; nephew, Jeffrey Gortemiller; half brother, John Laffette McCrory;.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cuero. The Rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m. with Father Jasper Liggio and a funeral mass will follow.  Interment will be held Friday, September 21, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Yorktown with Father Jasper Liggio officiating.

A very special thank you to Ronnie and Cindy Slovecek, Aunt Catherine, John Spears, Josephine (Cohn) Todes, Holly Johnson, Donald Beaman, Terry from the Texan, Mitch Holverson, and the crew at the Texan.  Thank you also, for all the prayer chains, rosaries, and unconditional love and support from "Valley Bratts".  If your name was not mentioned it is because you already know day to day how special you were to Lance and Jeanette.

Thank you also to the staff at Post Acute Medical- Detar South Hospital.  Each and everyone on the 3rd floor team are professionals- but more over they understand the intimacy of death along with dignity and respect.

Lance leaves to memory his "Band of Brothers" - John Spears, Pete Slovacek, Kurtis Kolodziejcyk, Walter Eubanks, John Stepanski, Bill Stepanski, and James May, and all the Veterans in DeWitt County.  Thank you for your service to our country.

Lance also had a "Musician Brotherhood" - Donald Beamon, Billy Reed, Joe Small, Henry Rangnow, Elvis Ruiz, The Newton Brothers, John Ford, John Henry Adams, Lee Rodgers, Roy Head, Red Travis, Wendy Summers, Frenchie Burke, Carl Gilley, Mikie Gilley, Alberto Hurta, Freddie Fender, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Tammy Wynette, The Texas Wild Bunch, Judge Ben Prause, Katy Dale, and Norman Swanson.

Honorary Pallbearers will include Ronald Slovaceck, J.C. Hunan, Ken Kvinta, Dale Kolodziejcyk, Brad Seidel, Mitch Holverson, and Ricki Villa.

In honor of Lance's memory and accomplishments, a memorial fund will be set up at Trust Texas Bank under Lance Smith Memorial Fund.  If God has touched you in any special way-music, the arts, sports, being a good steward of nature- there will be an endowment fund for excellence and achievement.  So kids, work hard and stay in school.

You may sign the guest book or leave condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com.

Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.