On Tuesday October 4, 2022 Virgil Joseph Smith, a beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away.
He was 92. Born June 3, 1930 on a farm east of Lindsay, Nebraska to Johann Schmith (John Smith) and Ruth McCready Smith, he was 8th in line of a family of 11 children. He was baptized at Saint Bernard Catholic Church in Lindsay, NE.

Virgil grew up in Nebraska graduating from Oakdale High school in 1949. He farmed with his family south of Oakdale until he was drafted and served our country during the Korean War. Virgil’s wife to be Carol Louise Kester rode the bus to El Paso, TX so that they could be joined in holy matrimony. Virgil was in bootcamp at the time and they needed parental permission to marry in Nebraska and Wyoming. The young couple took matters into their own hands and said “I do” in the grand state of Texas. Serving in the army in Korea he was a counter mortar radar operator. After serving in the United States Army he returned to Casper where he and

Carol started their family. They raised 2 daughters and 2 sons, Beth, John, Julie and Jim.
Virgil was a very hard worker. After returning from the service he worked driving repossessions for C.I.T. Later he went to work for Forsling Furniture which later became Plains Furniture, working for the Kellch family until he retired. During the years his kids were growing up he would work up to 3 jobs to provide for his family. He was best known as an avid Hot Wheel hunter. He made sure after he retired to hit the stores each day searching for treasure hunts and trying to beat the other Hot Wheel hunters. He was quite the collector of knives, antique tools, books, coins, bottles that the family spent many a weekend hunting for and we can’t forget the Hot Wheel collection that is so large no one wants to count them. In addition to collecting, he was a master gardener. He was so proud of growing a potato so large his picture was in the local newspaper holding that gigantic potato. Sunday evenings were family dinner nights and food on the table was from his crops grown in the back yard. His garden would be the envy to other gardeners. His grandchildren spent time with him in the garden planting and harvesting. One of his grandson’s buried his pacifier in the garden when it was time to give it up and a couple of the other grandkids buried a pair of old cowboy boots that they spent an afternoon taking them apart. You could say the garden was his peace and where he enjoyed being the most.

Virgil was quick witted, had a fierce determination and passed down his orneriness to those he leaves behind to join him one day in heaven. He is survived by his wife Carol Louise Smith, his children, Beth Blankenship of Lawrence, KS, Virgil John Smith (Gracie) of Layton, UT, Julie Johnson (Steve) of Casper, Jim Smith (Donna)of Casper, 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, his brother Raymond Smith of Haysville, KS, his sister Mary Ross of Lakewood, CO and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Sara Blankenship, grandson Joshua Blankenship, son in law, Chuck Blankenship, brothers Harold, Willis, Norbert, Morris, Robert, Melvin, Kenneth and a sister Jonella.

A Rosary will be recited on October 11, 2022, 5:00 pm at Newcomers Funeral Home, services will be held on October 12, 2022 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery.

Special thanks to the nurses at the Wyoming Medical Center, and at Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions. Donations can be made in memory of Virgil to Central Wyoming Hospice.

Virgil's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.