06/10/2015
Brethren, it is with great sorrow that I report to you the departure of Bro. M. Roger Smith on Saturday June 6th, 2015.
Bro. Smith (73) was born Dec. 23, 1941 at Jackson, MS, the adopted son of the late Malcolm R. Smith and the late Elise Herring Smith.
He grew up and attended public schools in Houston and Dallas, TX, and had been a resident of Arkansas since 1967.
He spent some 25 years in journalism, at the Montgomery County News, the Russellville Courier, the Dardanelle Post-Dispatch, the Paris Express and Van Buren County Democrat, from which he retired as editor and publisher in 2007. He held a number of awards in various categories from the Arkansas Press Association and two School Bell awards from the Arkansas Education Association.
Other employment included law enforcement, retail sales, freelance outdoor writing and as a fishing guide.
He was a mason, taking his degrees at Mt. Ida Lodge #140; he later was a member of and served as worshipful master at Pottsville Lodge #333, Paris Lodge #378 and Patterson Lodge #111.He was at one time a certified instructor, had served two terms as District Deputy Grand Master and was Chapter Dad for Arkansas Valley DeMolay, and served one term as Northwest District Dad. He was a member of Doric Lodge #471 at Damascus, where he was currently serving as master, was a member of the Arkansas York Rite bodies and was a former member of Sons of Confederate Veterans.
A Masonic Graveside Service will be conducted at 2:00pm Thursday June 11th, 2015 at the Huie Cemetery in Clinton, AR. with Roller-McNutt Funeral Home.
The Lodge will open at 12:30 pm. Please attend if you are at all able.
