Fred L. Smythe

Fred L. Smythe, 87, of West McKay Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at Carlsbad Medical Center. Visitation will be 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Friday, December 16, 2011 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, December 17, 2011, 2:00 PM, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Dennis W. McKinley officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Gardens Memorial Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Fred L. Smythe was born October 3, 1924 to Fred Rod and Jewell Irene (Smith) Smyth in Seminole, Oklahoma. He grew up in Ada, Oklahoma until the age of 18 on a farm. Fred moved to Carlsbad in 1942 and worked for a rubber company vulcanizing tires. He soon joined the US Army. Fred returned to Carlsbad and worked for a dry cleaner a short time before going to work in the Potash Mines. He worked for US Potash and later Duval and retired after 30 years of service. Fred also owned Reliable Dry Cleaners for many years, where he was a custom tailor. His hobbies included fishing, gardening, woodworking and tinkering. Fred loved to sing and was known as the "Singing Cowboy", often performing at the local nursing homes and senior centers. He enjoyed writing and was currently working on two books, a story of memoirs and a western story. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Danny O'Daniel; sisters: Dorothy Williams and Millie Smith; brother, Billy Joe Smyth; grandson, Johnny Wayne Harrel and great-granddaughter, Brittany Smythe. He is survived by his wife, Rosie Nell Smythe of Carlsbad, NM; daughters: Kim Harrell and husband, Jackie of Carlsbad, NM, Debbie Milligan and husband, Rudy of Carlsbad, NM; son, Steve Smythe and wife, Georgia of Edmond, OK; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; sister, Ginger Smith of Las Vegas, NV and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Jason Smythe, Johnny Smythe, Jeremiah Smythe, Jerad Smythe, Toby Milligan, Bobby Harrel and Rudy Milligan. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.