Donald Craig Smith

Donald Craig Smith

January 7, 1950 – September 21, 2025

Donald “Craig” Smith, 75, of Runaway Bay, Texas, passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Craig was born on January 7, 1950, in Mineral Wells, Texas, to Donald and Martha Ann Smith. He grew up in Jacksboro, where he graduated from Jacksboro High School in 1968. During his high school years, Craig was named to the All-State Football Team, was a proud member of the multi-year State Championship golf team and was honored as “Mr. JHS” his senior year.

After high school, Craig attended the University of North Texas, where he continued playing football and earned his degree. In 1973, he began a career with Braniff Airlines as Director of Crew Scheduling, where he worked until 1990. It was during his time with Braniff that Craig met the love of his life, Nancy Underwood. The two were married and shared over forty wonderful years together.

In 1990, Craig and Nancy moved to Runaway Bay, where Craig began his second career in the banking industry. Over the next three decades, he served as a loan officer for several area institutions, including Jacksboro National Bank, First National Bank of Jacksboro, First State Bank of Chico, and The Community Bank of Bridgeport, retiring in 2022. Craig was a pillar of the local banking community, known for his warm personality, fairness, and dedication to building lasting relationships with his clients and colleagues. Craig lived life to the fullest. His favorite pastimes were playing golf, enjoying poker (including being a two-time World Series of Poker participant) and spending time with his family and friends. Friends and loved ones remember him for his easy smile, generous heart, and ability to make everyone feel welcome.

Craig was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend who will be deeply missed.

Craig was preceded in death by his father, Don Smith; his brother, Tommy Smith; and his mother, Martha Ann Smith, who passed away two weeks after his own passing. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Smith of Runaway Bay; his daughters, Lyndsey Garcia and husband David of Trophy Club, and Lauren Amerine and her husband Travis of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his son, Justin Smith and wife Whitney of Decatur; and his grandchildren, Landon, Chloe Jayne, Sam, Ashlyn, Zander, Ava, and Abram. He is also survived by his sister, Sue Schechter of Brenham; his stepmother, Wanda Smith of Keene, Texas; along with numerous extended family members and a host of dear friends who were like family to him.

Service Information

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, Craig requested that memorial donations be made to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Dallas, Texas — a cause dear to his heart.

Craig’s kindness, joy, and zest for life will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him