Skip

Smith

If there was one thing you could always count on with Skip Smith, it was that he had a little wisdom to share with everyone! Whether you asked for it or not was sometimes beside the point. Skip was never one to keep a good piece of advice to himself. After 86 years of living, learning, and figuring out how things ought to be done, he had accumulated a wealth of wisdom and was never shy about sharing it. Then there was his unexpected wit, often delivered so casually that it took you a moment to realize just how funny he was. And when you heard those familiar words, “lookie here,” you knew you were about to find out exactly how he thought something should be done. You didn't necessarily have to agree with him to learn from him.

Robert H. Smith, Jr., known throughout his life as “Skip,” was born on August 13, 1940, to Robert H. Smith, Sr. and Angela Macaluso Smith. Born and raised in Bossier City, Louisiana, Skip remained a lifelong resident.

After graduating from Bossier High School with the Class of 1958, Skip began his career with a brief stint in the U.S. Navy in California, followed by six years patrolling the streets of his hometown as an officer with the Bossier City Police Department. From there, he found his way into the trucking industry, working behind the scenes as a dispatcher for Roadway Express and Braswell Industries before eventually taking his place behind the wheel. He spent the later years of his career traveling the highways as a long-haul driver for Tango Transport.

Skip's years on the road came long before GPS and cell phones. Armed with a road map he kept folded up in his truck, a CB radio with the handle “Skip A Rope,” and an impressive sense of direction, he navigated his way across the country. Even years later, he could tell you which highway to take, which roads to avoid, and probably a shortcut or two along the way. And chances are, that conversation started with the familiar words, “lookie here!” After millions of miles driven, Skip finally parked his truck and retired, looking forward to spending time at home on his porch with his best boy, Buster!

Skip was an avid NASCAR fan, and when race weekend rolled around, you could count on everything else being planned around his time in front of the television! He shared that love of racing with his best friend of 40 years, Laura Green. Every race weekend, the two kept up their tradition of discussing the race schedule, predicting the winner, and catching up on everything happening on the racetrack. Skip was also a loyal Chevrolet man, and if a Chevy crossed the finish line first, Laura recalls him happily declaring, “Bow tie, baby!”

During retirement, Skip traded in his CB radio for a laptop! Having never used a computer before, Skip took to his new laptop remarkably quickly for a man in his 70s who had spent most of his life getting by just fine without one! Skip soon discovered Facebook, which brought him so much joy by allowing him to keep up with family and reconnect with old friends and classmates from Bossier High School. He took pride in keeping everyone up to date on the latest news, especially those all-important classmate lunches, and loved sharing pictures of the grandkids he was so proud of! And then came online shopping. Even Skip couldn't resist dabbling a little. After all, who knew you could buy car parts right from your computer and have them delivered to your door? That discovery led to plenty of hours spent tinkering in his garage, doing what he loved and did so well: working with his hands and taking care of just about anything car-related himself.

Skip was fortunate to share his love of cars, especially classic cars, with his good buddy, Mike Bryant. Beyond exchanging pictures of old cars and enjoying plenty of shop talk, the two shared a lifelong friendship that Skip treasured.

Skip was a Christian, a Daddy, a Papaw, and a loyal friend. He was a simple, down-to-earth man who carried himself with strength, dignity, and respect. His circle may have been small, but his love for those in it ran deep. To those who didn't know him well, Skip could seem strong enough to be unbreakable. But those fortunate enough to truly know him understood the tenderness behind that strength. He loved deeply, and if you were one of his people, you knew it.

In the days leading up to November 5, 2026, when Skip went to be with Jesus, he was prayed over by many and blessed with visits and phone calls from family and dear friends, bringing him comfort in knowing how deeply he was loved and peace in the promise that they would meet again.

Skip was preceded in death by his parents, Robert H. Smith, Sr. (“Bobbie”) and Angela Macaluso Smith; his brother-in-law, Eddie Becken; his nephew, Doug Becken; and his beloved fur son, Buster.

Cherishing Skip's memory are his daughters, Cindy Washington and her husband, Dennis, of Shreveport, and Michaelle Connelly and her husband, Doug, of McKinney, Texas; his cherished grandchildren, Elizabeth Grisham, Payton Connelly, and Grayson Connelly; his sister, Margie Becken; and his nephew, David Becken and his extended Maggio family of cousins.

Dear friends left to cherish Skip's memory are Buck and Bobbie Rose Whorton, Judi and Don Coleman, Laura Green, Judy Arnold McKenzie, Mike Bryant, Farris Baughman, Doug Connelly, Sr., and Scooter Freeman.

A heartfelt thank you to special friends Doug Connelly, Sr., and Judy Arnold McKenzie for always making sure Skip had his favorite foods, which more often than not included something sweet! And to Skip's son-in-law, Doug Connelly, a special thank you for the time, patience, and love you poured into helping Skip stay strong and independent for as long as possible. The care you gave him went far beyond therapy, and the love behind everything you did for him will never be forgotten.

The family invites you to join them for a Celebration of Life on November 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM, to be held at Christ the King Auditorium, 1029 Barksdale Blvd., Bossier City, officiated by Chaplain Buck Farlow