Claud Lee Smith

Claud Lee Smith went west on Wednesday, July 16, 2014.

At his request, no services or memorials will be held.

He was born on September 7, 1934, into a show business family who performed in rodeos and wild west shows all over the country in the 1930’s and 1940’s.

He was billed as the world’s smallest cowboy. At age 9 months, his father would tie him in the saddle on a big white horse and he would ride in the grand entry. He later became a trick rider and trick roper and also had a trained Brahma bull that would perform many tricks. He was a cowboy and a ranch hand as a young man.

After graduation from Diamond Hill High School in Fort Worth in 1953, his father helped him become a Union ironworker in Local 263 in Fort Worth. He worked all over the United States building bridges, TV towers and multi-story buildings. In the 1960s, he spent some time in the Panama Canal Zone working on a bridge across the Panama Canal.

He retired from ironworking after 32 years. He later worked as a construction inspector for the University System in Arlington.

He served his country in the US Army from 1957-59.

He always had a lot of fun.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara; a son, Lee; and two sisters.