Mitchell Smith

Mitchell "Mitch" Vernon Smith of Ingleside, Texas passed away August 4, 2023 at the age of 74.

He was born May 12, 1949 in Laurel, Mississippi to Vermer "Vernon" and Idahlia "Dee" Smith. He loved spending time with his grandkids, working on cars, hunting, collecting firearms, and being outdoors.

He is preceded in death by his parents and 5 half-brothers and sisters.

 He is survived by his loving wife Debra "Debbie" Smith of 48 years, his children Russell Brandon and wife Amanda Smith of Houston, TX, Jacqueline Michelle "Jackie" Smith of Ingleside, TX, and Gerald Bradley "Brad" Smith of Missoula, MT, and his grandchildren Callie Braelyn Matthews, James Pinckney Smith, Owen Wesley Smith, and Anamaria Gabriela Smith, his sister Virginia Smith, and brothers Charles "Buddy" Smith and Larry Smith.

Mitch graduated from George County High School in 1968, and later Jackson County Junior College in 1972. He had an aptitude for offshore and marine construction and fabrication, getting his start at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, MS. His career took him to Houston, Texas where he worked for Brown and Root, and a promotion brought him down to the Coastal Bend. Mitch and Debbie were married on June 21, 1975, and settled in Ingleside, TX that same year.

Mitch became a specialist in deep sea construction and fabrication, and moved overseas in 1985 working as a consultant for Hyundai Oil before moving back to Ingleside in 1987. Mitch's career saw him assist with the completion of some of the largest and most complex projects in the world, including the "Bullwinkle" offshore project, "Popeye", BP's "Pompano", and Shell Offshore's "Mars", among many others in his time working with friends, family, and neighbors at Brown and Root Harbor Island, ETPM and Gulf Marine, Kiewitt, Berry, and other area yards. Between projects, he even turned his love of cars into time spent as a car salesman. During the 2000's, he traveled extensively for work, contracting for commercial properties throughout the Midwest and Southwest, and continuing to advise for domestic and international offshore construction.

Mitch could often be found pursuing hobbies, family activities, and being active in the church during his free time. He also had a passion for classic cars. He owned several '65-'66 Mustangs, a 1950 Ford Sedan, 61 Impala, 63 and a 1/2 Galaxie, 1996 Trans Am, as well as many others as a young man that were crashed before we could get a glimpse of the model... For decades, Mitch was an eager volunteer in church events and missions. He was a Deacon and Treasurer at Bayview Baptist Church in Ingleside-On-The-Bay. And heavily active in the First Baptist Church in Aransas Pass, Texas.  He coordinated fundraising efforts for the South Texas Children's Home orphanage in Pettus, TX and attended mission trips to Mexico focused on building housing for families in need. His unique sense of humor was never in short supply at many church vacations and conferences.

Services will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Aransas Pass, TX at 4pm. This will be preceded by a public viewing from 2-4, and followed by a reception and food from 5-630 at Calvary Baptist Church, 210 W Myrtle Ave in Aransas Pass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the South Texas Children's Home, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, or the Patient Access Network Foundation supporting those with terminal illnesses.