Wayne Grover Smith Obituary (1952 - 2021)

Wayne Grover Smith, 68, passed away April 19th in Pasadena, Texas. Wayne was born October 15, 1952 at St. Mary's Catholic Hospital in Galveston, Texas. From age two, he grew up in Texas City, Texas, and spent much of his time fishing, crabbing and running along the granite blocks on the Texas City dike. As a teenager, he sunbathed on Galveston beaches and played Frisbee with his buddies. Wayne could be quiet in certain settings and sometimes a little grumpy (his brother Dan nicknamed him Chief Grumble Bear), but he also had a good sense of humor and was always honest and a loyal friend. He loved sleeping and hated talking on the telephone. Wayne was 1/16th Native American and was an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux tribe of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Etta Mae Smith, and his older brother, Donald Gordon. Wayne is survived by his younger brother, Dan Smith, nephew Daniel Smith, nieces Angela Crowton (Bryan), Azalia Deckard (Trey) and Hannah Layfield (Jason), and numerous grandnephews, grandnieces and cousins. Wayne is also survived by the love of his life for the past 35 years, Tammy Sanders, and her children, Carolyn and Michael Sanders, who Wayne loved as his own. A special thanks from the family to Wayne's longtime friend, Bill McGarvey, who helped Wayne over these past few years. Thanks also to all who attended his memorial. Wayne's troubles are over. He is safe now in God's care. His memory will remain in our hearts and minds.