Obituary of Eldon L. Smith Sr.

Eldon L. Smith Sr., 75, of County Route 127, Addison, NY, passed away at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester on Tuesday morning, September 14, 2021. Born in Corning, NY on April 7, 1946, Eldon was the son of the late Chester and Helen (Copp) Smith. He was a 1966 graduate of Corning-Painted Post West High. Following high school, Eldon enlisted in the US Air Force, serving until 1970 followed by two years of required reserve service. On November 12, 1966, he married the former Carolyn L. Powell. Eldon began a long career in heavy equipment, beginning with the Town of Lindley Highway Department and later with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation where he built and maintained flood control structures. He retired with over 40 years of combined service. An avid outdoorsman, Eldon loved fishing, hunting and camping. He also had a very keen interest in rodeos. He always attended the Leo Gee Memorial Rodeos in Lawrenceville, often as a participant. He followed the Pro Bull Riding Assoc. and shared his knowledge and skills of rodeo with his children, grandchildren and any others that cared to learn. He served as a great inspiration to all around him. Eldon was a loving husband and wonderful father and grandfather. Surviving is his wife of nearly 55 years, Carolyn Smith of Addison, his son, Eldon Smith Jr. and his wife, Tammy Jo of Tioga, his daughter, Jennifer Smith- Giles and her husband, Wilson Giles of Mansfield, his grandchildren, Briana Smith, Cierra Smith, Zachary Smith, Kristal Smith-Giles and Monntana Giles, step grandchildren, Emily Cook and Logan Burrows, great granddaughter, Elihana Smith Binkins, his sister, Shirley O’Brian of Woodhull, his brother in law, Guy (Connie Powell of Caton and his beloved dog, Dottie. Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, his half sister, Lucille Wheeler and his half brother, Howard Kimble. A Celebration of Life to honor Eldon will be held on Saturday, September 25 from 1 to 4 pm at the Double EE Rodeo Grounds on Gee Hollow Road in Lawrenceville, Pa. Memorial donations are suggested for the Cowboy Crisis Fund www.cowboycrisis.org. Arrangements are in care of the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull, NY.