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Submitted: 4/8/21 • Approved: 4/8/21 • Last Updated: 4/11/21 • R406538-G0-S3
April 23, 1953-December 17, 1975
Photo/information, courtesy of Edith Guynes Stanley
*Obituary
A late Wednesday night one-vehicle traffic accident on Highway 136 about 1/2 a mile west of Borger claimed the life of Joe Earl Smith Jr., 22, of Borger.
Smith became the second 1975 traffic fatality in Borger city limits.
Investigating officer Terry Flippo said Smith was alone in a late model car, when the westbound vehicle left the roadway near the intersection of 136 and Carbon Road, and went into a drainage ditch.
The vehicle continued down the center until it came to the intersection, then flipped and rolled several times. The car came to a halt about 314 feet from where the vehicle initially left the roadway, Flippo said.
The accident occurred about 10:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Smith was rushed to North Plains Hospital following the wreck. He was pronounced dead at 11:20 p.m. by Justice of the Peace Nadean Spinks, who acted as coroner.
The victim died of neck, head and chest injuries according to police records.
Smith's car was a total loss.
He was born Apr. 23, 1953 in Borger and was a lifetime resident here.
He graduated from Borger High School in 1970 and was employed as shop manager for Bob Johnson Motor Company.
Survivors include his wife, Nita of the home; a son, Justin Allen also of the home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe E. Smith Sr. of Borger; three brothers, Richard, Kurk and Kim, all of Borger.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in St. John's Catholic Church with the Rev. Richard Neyer, pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Minton Mortuary.
The first city traffic fatality claimed the life of Richard Brumfield of 4139 Fifth St., in Philview Camp.
Brumfield was killed early Sunday, March 16, in a one-vehicle rollover in west Borger.
(Published in Borger News-Herald, Thursday, December 18, 1975, Page 1)
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Funeral services for Joe Earl Smith Jr., 22, who died in a one car accident about 10:45 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 136 west of Borger, were held at 2 p.m. today in St. John's Catholic Church.
The Rev. Richard Neyer, pastor, officiated. Burial followed in Westlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Minton Mortuary.
Survivors include his wife, a son, his parents and three brothers.
Casketbearers were Frank Kempa, Robert Finnell, Mike Slaton, Raymond Kolhler, Mike Herron, Mike Leonard, Rodney Vaughn, Russell Hammons, Eldon Lash, and Johnny Garrard.
The family asked that memorials be to the Satellite Day Care Center, 1304 Payton Circle.
(Published in Borger News-Herald, Friday, December 19, 1975, Page 12)
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Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997
Name: Joe Earl Smith
Date of Birth: 23 Apr 1953
Gender: Male
Birth County: Hutchinson
Father's name: Joe Earl Smith
Mother's name: Imogene Elizabeth Norton
Roll Number: 1953_0014
Texas Death Index, 1903-2000
Name: Joe Smith Jr
Death Date: 17 Dec 1975
Death County: Hutchinson
Gender: Male
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: Joe Earl Smith Jr
[Joe Smith Jr]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 23 Apr 1953
Birth Place: Borger Hutch, Texas
Death Date: Dec 1975
Type of Claim: Original SSN.
Notes: Jul 1968: Name listed as JOE EARL SMITH JR; 30 Dec 1987: Name listed as JOE SMITH
Contributed on 4/8/21 by neldapat
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Record #: 406538