Gene Harold Smith, 86, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Gene was born October 6, 1927, to Harold Vincent and Alma Agnes McCauley Smith at Chadron, NE and grew up on the family farm. He started school in a one-room country school, FlagButte, in the Deadhorse farming community near Chadron and graduated from Chadron High School in 1945. While in high school Gene met his future wife, Dorothy May Hopkins.

Gene served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1947 as a Squad Leader. Following his discharge he returned to Chadron where he farmed with his dad. Gene and Dorothy were married on August 17, 1947, at Chadron where they raised their family. Their five children, Alan, Carol, David, Ruth and Daniel, all attended the same country school as their dad.

In 1970 the family left the farm and moved to Bridgeport, NE where Gene worked for the ASCS Department of Agriculture. He later became the District Director in 1976 and moved to North Platte. He retired from there in 1991.

Gene was a member of the Chadron American Legion. In North Platte Gene belonged to the Diamond K Kiwanis Club and spent hours working at the Lincoln County Museum. He also enjoyed golfing, woodcarving and the coffee group at Arby’s.

Gene is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy, of North Platte; his children, Alan (Joan) Smith, of Houston, TX, Carol (Jerry) Young, of Joplin, MO, Dave (Jan) Smith, of McCook, NE, Ruth (Kevin) Uhrich, of North Platte and Dan (MaryAnn) Smith, of Houston, TX; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Margaret Jean Smith, of Edmonds, WA; his brother-in-law, Bud Lynch, of Hugo, MN; several nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Alma; a brother, Robert; and his sister, Mary Lou Lynch.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2014, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Chaplain Richard Karr officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Chadron in the Greenwood Cemetery where Gene will be buried next to his and Dorothy’s parents. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Lincoln County Historical Museum.