Clair Frank Smith was born August 7, 1948, and went to his heavenly home Tuesday morning, May 29, 2018, at the age of 69.

Clair was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Rev. G. Frank and Clara Marie (Osborn) Smith. They were outstanding godly parents who served in the ministry all of their lives. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Clair was baptized in 1954 at Central Assembly, Springfield, MO. As a youth he loved Teen Chorale and was a member of the Masters Four Quartet, which also included Sara Styles, John Harbin and Wes Ragsdale. Participating in the youth evangelism outreaches helped nurture his desire to share God’s love with people. Clair became a member of Central Assembly and it has always been his home church.

While attending Parkview High School, Clair spent time in the drama department coordinating lighting, sound effects and as stage manager besides participating in the Junior-Senior play. That summer (1965) he worked on three of the SMS Tent Theatre productions and was in one production. Clair loved using his solo and choral abilities in their great musicals. Upon graduation from Parkview High School in 1966, he entered SMS and became associated with the opera workshop in the music department. He was a member of the technical crew of the variety show known as Folio Folies. While he attended Central Bible College he worked with Dr. Dalan, of the Evangel College speech department, where he became lighting director of their fall production, “The Would Be Gentlemen.” The following year he designed lights for the “Readers Theatre” and “Anne of a Thousand Days. The following spring he helped direct the production of “Mistress of Mellyn.”

It was through this connection with Evangel College that Clair met and married Marjorie E. (Ollson) Smith (Marge) on May 16, 1970, at Central Assembly.

While a student at SMS and Central Bible College, Clair worked at the General Council of the Assemblies of God for two years in the Merchandising Division of the Gospel Publishing House. He also worked at Heers on the Square in their window display department. He was a registered official and enjoyed officiating football, basketball and baseball games on the weekends in the greater Springfield area. Clair absolutely loved playing softball. He played on CBC’s official team, on several Central Assembly teams which included “Classic’s Wayne Warner, Central’s manager Verne McKinney, Gary Sherman, and Clair “Gypsy” Smith. Other great players were Gary Ragain and Ken Tripp. Many a Sunday afternoon was spent playing against teams from other churches on the grounds of the Federal Medical Center.

Following graduation from Central Bible College (1972) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious education, he began his ministry as minister of youth and music at First Assembly of God, Wilmington, DE, followed by Hessville Assembly, Highland, IN, and First Assembly, Overland Park, KS. These were incredible years with outstanding youth. Many of them have become great leaders, ministers and missionaries with the Assemblies of God.

In 1976 Clair and Marge were invited to pastor the Assembly of God in Lyons, KS. Clair had a gifted teaching/preaching ability full of spiritual insight. He spent hours studying God’s Word. In 1981 Clair graduated from Sterling College with a Behavioral Science degree. Clair enjoyed helping people and this counseling training gave him the ability to understand, counsel and nurture people along with God’s Word. One of his hobbies during these years was photography and developing his own film.

Clair was adventuresome and was driven by a thirst to learn and conquer new things, so in the early/mid 1980’s he entered the car business. He quickly rose to sales and finance manager positions. He enjoyed the variety of new vehicles and different brands of vehicles. Later on he entered the real estate and loan business. He ended his work career days in a local funeral service business. This was a great match for his caring, tender ability to minister to people during their time of great loss and grief.

Clair is survived by the mother of his children, Marge; sons Aaron and wife Lori; grandson Shepard; son Joshua Smith; and extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held at Greenlawn North on Saturday, June 2, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. A celebration of his life will follow at 2:00 p.m. led by Clair’s youth pastor, Hubert Morris. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.