Mike Smith
Although he was my neighbor and 17 years years my senior, he was more like an uncle. He and Shirley, always listened, mentored, laughed, and cried with me whenever I came over. He and Shirley fed me when my mother died and watched over me and boasted when I ate him "out of house and home". "I'll not invite that boy to a cookout again", he would tell my father. But dad paid him for the food and each additional time I would come to eat.
Then HS graduation, my 40 year military service and life separated us until 2 years ago when I brought my 36 year old son to meet him when we visited my old homesteads for my son's heritage. And of course Leroy had to tell him how I ate him "out of house and home". He and Donna, my son and I talked that afternoon, and I got to see that famous smile of Leroy's again, and again, and again. How wonderful it was.
You will be missed, loved, and never forgot. Thank you Leroy.... and Shirley. God keep you.
Mike Smith, the kid across the street on Bellemead Circle (1960s) ....Washington DC..
