Harold R. Smith, 40-year resident of the Romeo area and formerly of Lake Orion, passed away July 11, 2006 at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. He was 80.
Mr. Smith was born February 6, 1926 in Lake Orion, the son of Warren and Zelma Smith. He married the former Carolyn Hewelt in 1968 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Shelby Twp.
Mr. Smith spent 60 years installing and maintaining septic systems in Macomb and Oakland counties. He owned and operated, along with his daughter Heather and her husband Rick Throop, the Woods-Utica Septic Service and H.R. Smith Excavating. He founded the excavating company bearing his name in 1947. He then purchased Utica Septic Service in 1976 and Woods Septic Service in 1987.
His hobbies included golfing, fishing and bowling. He belonged to the Peace Lutheran Church of Shelby Twp. where he served as its head trustee for 20 years. He later joined the Grace Lutheran Fellowship of Romeo.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife Carolyn, of Romeo; children Heather (Rick) Throop, of Allenton, Christine (Grady) McDonald, of Shelby, Ohio and Donald (Carol) Smith, of Waterford.
He’s also survived by grandchildren Jason and Jessica Smith along with his sister Helen Smith, of Oxford; sister-in-law Dorothy (Jeff) Sutherland, of Lake Orion; brother-in-law Edward (Barbara) Hewelt, Arlington, Texas. He was preceded in death by parents Warren and Zelma Smith; brother Arthur Smith; son Harold, Jr. and his grandson Toby Nathan Throop.
Funeral services were held July 15 at Grace Lutheran Fellowship. Pastor Eric Majeski officiated. Interment at Romeo Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Grace Lutheran Fellowship are appreciated.