Herman proudly served his country as a United States Navy veteran and continued his commitment to service through more than 36 years of dedicated work with the federal government with Red River Army Depot. An avid historian with an endless curiosity for how things worked, he loved to tinker and could seemingly fix, build, or figure out just about anything, a true master of all trades.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Melvin Hartwell Smith, Garland “Mouse” Franklin Smith, Marvin “Squirrel” Derrell Smith; and his sister, Donna Mae Tingle.

Left to cherish his memory is his faithful and loyal wife of 60 years, Jean Smith of Maud, Texas; his son and daughter-in-law, Warren and Leslie Smith of Maud, Texas; his grandchildren, Weston Smith and his wife Kinzie of Nash, Texas; Kayley Hackett and husband Hayden of Texarkana, Texas; two very special great grandchildren Wylder Smith and Ripley Smith; a number of nieces and nephews; and a number of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 2:30 PM at Bates-Rolf Funeral Home – New Boston, Texas.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the day before the service.

Interment will be in Redwater Cemetery – Redwater, Texas.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, a cause Herman was deeply passionate about and generously supported in honor of his fellow veterans.