Alvin Smyth Jr.

DEXTER, Mo. -- Alvin Smyth Jr., lifelong resident of Dexter, departed this life Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at Capetown Assisted Living in Cape Girardeau at the age of 97 years.

Alvin, the son of the late Alvin and Sarah Manion Smyth Sr., was born Dec. 29, 1924, in Pyletown, Missouri. He graduated from Dexter High School.

In June 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as an engineer electrician on board the USS Prevail minesweeper in the South Pacific for two years during World War II.

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 agriculture classes in Bloomfield (Missouri) 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 Sept. 10, 1949, in Dexter he was united in marriage to Hilda Baker. She preceded him in death Jan. 6, 2006.

He is survived by three daughters, Vicki (Butch) Waldrup of Kansas City, Missouri, Beverly Good of Hayden, Colorado, and Susan (Ron) Richmond of Cape Girardeau; brother, Michael (Beverly) Smyth of Meridian, Idaho; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many special friends.

Other than by his wife and parents, Alvin was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Jim (Ann) Smyth, and two sisters, Mary Ellen (Jim) Sisler and Malinda (Kenneth) Allen.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon Thursday at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral will then be at noon Thursday at the funeral home with Mark Snider officiating. Interment will follow in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, MO 63841 or the Stoddard County Children's Home, P.O. Box 164, Dexter, MO 63841.