Fred Taylor "Tee" Smith, Jr.

Fred Taylor “Tee” Smith, Jr. passed away June 15, 2021, in his home, with his loving family at his side.

A life-long resident of Lake Charles, Tee was born February 23, 1947, to Mary Ellen Gayle Smith and Fred Taylor Smith, Sr.  He was a 1965 graduate of Lake Charles High School and a 1989 graduate of McNeese State University.  Tee served his country in the Seabees, combat engineers, during his two tours in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968.  He taught social studies at Sam Houston High School from 1990 until 2007.  Tee was a “free spirit,” a gentle man who was a friend to kids, as well as to those of any age.  He enjoyed music, reading, and photography.  Childhood days spent at Old Settlement in Big Lake seeded his fondness for sailing and his love for trees, gardening, and the outdoors.  It was in his own backyard garden that he found God and grew in his relationship with his Savior Jesus Christ.  Tee was a faithful member of St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of thirty years, Patti Dubard Smith; three sons, Taylor C. Smith of San Francisco, Benjamin Charles Ladner and wife Heather and Jon Nathan Ladner and wife Camille, both of Lake Charles; two daughters, Holly Peterson and husband Nick, and Laurie Moffett, also of Lake Charles; one daughter-in-law, Karen Plantte of Norton, MA; eleven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; two nieces; one nephew; and his cat, Rosie. 

Tee was preceded in death by his parents; his stepdad, Al Cron; one son, Morgan C. Smith; and his sister, Gayle Cline.

Cremation was entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles.  Private graveside services were held at Graceland Cemetery on June 18, 2021, with the Reverend Boo Kay officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, McNeese Foundation, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The family would like to express their grateful appreciation for the gentle and compassionate care given their beloved husband and father to Dr. Michael Broussard, the staff at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Chemo Lab, and to Tee’s dedicated caregivers, Dee, Janis, and Desirae.  

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.