Carl William Smith

Carl William Smith, age 66, of Harrison passed away Monday, March 22, 2024.

Funeral Services for Carl will be held at Clark-Stocking Funeral Chapel on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 2 p.m. with Deacon Larry Fussman officiating. Rite of Burial will follow in Pleasant Plains Cemetery. A gathering will follow at Snowbird Lanes where the family has reserved a block of tables for anyone that cares to join us in lunch and reminiscing. The family will host a visitation for friends and those who care to pay their respects, the day of the service from 12 noon until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts Troop 645 of Harrison. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.

Carl was born on September 5, 1957, in Harrison. Carl was raised by his Grandfather Andrew Dresden, Grandmother Stella Dresden, and Uncle, Leonard Vanriper. Carl proudly served his country in the United States Air Force where his role was maintaining and preparing B-52 Stratofortress’s in the mission to deter thermonuclear war. Carl was a hard worker and prided himself as self-sufficient and one who was willing to put whatever effort forward was required in his many successful business endeavors.  Carl Smith had a successful career as a funeral director and mortician and specifically took great pride in his functions as a mortician and skilled abilities with embalming. Carl was the owner of Mid-Michigan Mortuary Services and Smith Family Funeral Home both operating out of Harrison. Carl eventually found new success in the California oil industry where he was a highly regarded mud engineer with Geo Drilling Fluids until the time came where Carl was able to step away into retirement. Carl was an avid duck hunter and with his friends Brad Wright and Terry Jessup spent their free time designing and constructing duck blinds and then many more hours toiling to get the duck blind to actually float before launching it on Houghton Lake for their yearly waterfowl hunting endeavors.

Carl was a devoted father to two very fortunate children, Levi Smith his first born son and Catrina Smith (maiden) his second born princess. To Carl’s delight, Catrina found her soulmate and is now happily married to Nicholas Bates. Carl was beloved by his children who will be eternally grateful for the unwavering devotion and commitment their father displayed throughout their lives and are truly blessed to be his children. Both Levi and Catrina understand that blessing and are resolute in their belief that there is simply no father that could have possibly been better.

When his children were young, Carl was actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America Troop 645 in Harrison where he played an instrumental role in helping transform some awkward boys into successful well-rounded young men. Over the course of Carl’s involvement with Troop 645 there were 17 young-men that were able to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, including Carl’s son Levi. Carl was extremely proud of the small role he played in aiding the development of 17 young Harrison boys into Eagle Scouts and joining the proud brotherhood of Eagle Scouts such as Neil Armstrong, Gerald Ford, Jim Lovell, Robert McNamara, Gary Peters, Steven Spielberg, and Detroit Lion David Montgomery, among many others.

Besides his children, Carl’s true pride and joy was his yellow labrador retriever, Moose who would fearlessly attack the water during retrieves while duck hunting in the middle of Houghton Lake. Carl always knew that there was no duck that could not be retrieved when Moose was in the boat.

Carl was a stubborn man and anybody that got to know him quickly understood this to be true. Once Carl made a decision there was no wavering and no amount of rational reasoning would be able to sway his judgment. Carl was a proud man, he took pride in himself and his family. Carl was a brave man, he would do what was necessary when it was necessary and never hesitated before he proceeded. Carl was an honest man, who never sought gain at the expense of another. Carl’s life was full and happy. Carl loved. Carl was loved. Carl left the world a better place than how he inherited it.

You may view Carl's obituary online or send a condolence to the family at  www.clarkstocking.com.