Alvin Smyth Jr., lifelong resident of Dexter, departed this life on January 21, 2022, at Capetown Assisted Living in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 97 years.
Alvin, the son of the late Alvin Smyth Sr. and Sarah Manion Smyth, was born on December 29, 1924, in Pyletown, Missouri. He graduated from Dexter High School. In June 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as an Engineer Electrician onboard the U.S.S. Prevail minesweeper in the South Pacific for 2 years during WWII.
After returning from the Navy, he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Following graduation, he returned to Dexter and farmed as well as taught Ag classes in the Bloomfield School District. He left Bloomfield to work for Doane Agricultural Services for 15 years and in 1964 he was transferred to the southern region in Memphis, Tennessee.
Missing his Missouri home, he returned with his wife and three daughters to Dexter. He attained his Real Estate Broker and General Real Estate Appraiser Licenses and he opened Alvin Smyth Realty, Inc. During this time, he also acquired several rental properties which he still owned.
Alvin served on the Dexter Memorial Hospital Board for several years. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter.
Alvin enjoyed hunting and fishing with his many friends, spending time at lake homes at Wappapello and Kentucky Lakes and his condo in Perdido Key, Florida. But most importantly he loved spending time with family and friends.
On September 10, 1949, in Dexter, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Hilda Baker. Mrs. Smyth preceded him in death on January 6, 2006.
He is survived by three daughters, Vicki Waldrup (Butch) of Kansas City, Missouri, Beverly Good of Hayden, Colorado, and Susan Richmond (Ron) of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by his brother, Michael Smyth (Beverly) of Meridian, Idaho, by eight grandchildren, by three great-grandchildren, and many special friends.
Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John Smyth and Jim Smyth (Ann); and by two sisters, Mary Ellen Sisler (Jim) and Malinda Allen (Kenneth).
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, February 10, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. with Mark Snider officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Memorials may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841 or the Stoddard County Children’s Home, PO Box 164, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
