Charles Robert Smith

Charles Robert Smith, born on February 4, 1936 in Hamilton, TX, passed away on December 13, 2007 in Beaumont, TX after a prolonged illness. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Thurman and Erna Smith. Charles is survived by his wife of 47 years, Charlesene Smith of Vidor, TX; his daughter, Julie Bell of Allen, TX; his son, Kevin Smith and his wife, Carrie , of Austin, TX. He was blessed with three grandsons: Justin Bell, Jared Bell and Aiden Smith. He also leaves behind one Aunt, Norma Lee and one uncle, Vernon Schrank. Charles began playing the piano and organ for Lutheran Churches at the age of thirteen. He excelled in music at Nederland High School and won first chair on clarinet in the Texas State Band. He also began composing band arrangements and developing halftime shows. He excelled academically by graduating from Nederland High School in 1954 as Salutatorian. At Lamar State University, he studied music and was inducted into Kappa Kappa Psi, the honorary band fraternity; Gamma Delta, Lutheran students association; and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Upon graduating in 1958 with a B.S. in Music Education, he attended Northwestern University in Chicago, where he earned his Masters in Music Education in the Spring of 1959. During this time he also taught piano and organ at Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois. Charles returned to Texas and married Charlesene Hudson of Timpson, TX in June, 1960. He became Head Band Director of Vidor High School in 1960 and also Head of the Fine Arts Department in 1977. During his tenure, the Vidor Marching and Concert Bands began to achieve “superior” and “excellent” ratings in numerous competitions locally and abroad in other states. A majority of students also began to excel individually in Region and Area tryouts. The Mighty Pirate Marching Band, also crowned the “Band of Bands”, was extended an invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall and was picked to represent the state at the VFW national convention. The Vidor Band was also chosen in 1979 to represent the state of Texas at the Inauguration Ceremony of the United Nations International Office in Vienna, Austria. Beyond the music, Charles also instilled a sense of self-worth in his students. As one observer noted in a letter, “It is obvious that Vidor students not only learn music, but they learn class, dignity and style.” Mr Smith also introduced the lights out performance of the homecoming halftime show, whereby the band wore lights attached to their legs and instruments, with fireworks bursting overhead and flares lighting the sidelines. Crowds flooded into the Vidor homecomings to witness the spectacle. Every year the Homecoming theme would illuminate across fire boards as the twirlers tossed flaming batons and the drill team bore the blazing “V” banners. The result overwhelmed the senses with a kaleidoscope of color, mixed with the primal symbol of fire, all wrapped together in the emotional effect of music. As one visiting observer noted, “It was the most extraordinary, spectacular, and absolutely stupendous expedition that we have ever seen on the field - high school or college level.” Affectionately known as the “Man Behind the Band”, Charles continued to elevate his band and town. He was listed in the World Book of Musicians and the International Who’s Who in Music and Musician’s Directory. Even bands at the collegiate level, such as Mississippi State, borrowed films of the band for instructional purposes. He served as Executive Secretary of Region X from 1965 to 2007. After retiring from high school life, Charles conducted the Orange Community Band and played as organist at both Redeemer Lutheran and St. John Lutheran Churches in Beaumont, TX. In July, 2003, Charles was inducted into the Band Directors Hall of Fame. Since the 1920’s, only 260 band directors have been inducted. As noted by Hall of Fame Chair Ben Gollehon, “everyone knows him and knows his outstanding record.” In 2007, Lamar University inducted him into the Music Hall of Honor, and the U.I.L. acknowledged his years of service in a ceremony in which the Vidor I.S.D. dedicated the Steinway piano in his name. Funeral services are 7:00 P.M. Monday, December 17, 2007 at the Vidor High School Auditorium. Burial will be Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Aleman, TX in Hamilton County. Visitation will be Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 6:00 P.M. at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor.

Cemetery:
St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery Aleman, TX (map/driving directions)

Visitation:
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor 1750 Hwy Vidor, TX on December 16, 2007 (map/driving directions) Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor 1750 Hwy Vidor, TX (map/driving directions)

Service:
7:00 PM at Vidor High School Auditorium Vidor, TX 77662 on December 17, 2007 (map/driving directions)