Clyde Edward Smotherman Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Clyde Edward Smotherman, age 88 of Union, MO departed this earth on July 17, 2022 at SSM St Clare Hospital in Fenton, MO. He was born on December 21, 1933 in Birch Tree, MO to Clarence & Ethel Smotherman. He graduated from Birch Tree High School in 1951, where he played baseball & basketball. Clyde married his wife of 68 years, Mildred (Elliott) Smotherman on January 17, 1954 in Birch Tree, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings - Clara Williams, Dorothy Martin, Velma Weaver & Raymond Smotherman. Clyde is survived by his wife, Mildred and their three children - Gregory Smotherman, Sr (Anita) of Cuba, MO, Karen Pickett (John) of Union, MO and Connie Higginbotham (Oscar) of Catawissa, MO. He had eight grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. He loved them to come and visit. The true kid in him would come out! He was very proud of his family and was always there to support & encourage them. Clyde also had many extended family and friends whose lives were touched by him just as much as his immediate family. Clyde was scouted out by the St Louis Cardinals after high school so he came and tried out for the team. While he was waiting to hear from them, he applied for jobs in the area. The Cardinals offered him $1200 to come play for them but Ralston Purina offered him $1400 so since $200 was a lot of money back then, he took the job. Then he went and worked several years at National Rejectors. He later took a job with Clyde's Lumber Company in Murphy, MO and no he did not own the company which many thought he did. In 1981, he started his own construction company working with his partner, Bob Eschrich. If you say he retired, it would have been from construction but anyone who knew him would say he never retired. Clyde helped create the family business, Ozark Mountain Technologies, Inc in 1993 which began in St Clair, MO and later moved to Cuba, MO. As CEO, he was an active part of the business. He would do maintenance jobs and just loved to stop in to visit with the employees. He loved to be outside on his lawn mower and tractor. He would spend time out in his shop building things and always willing to help anyone with anything he could. They found a wonderful subdivision to be a part of. The neighbors loved him and was always willing to help him if needed. Clyde loved fishing which included owning river property and a lake house over the years. When not spending weekends at his vacation properties with family/friends, he was able to take a few fishing trips to Canada. He also took his family on several memorable vacations to include a Cruise to Alaska, Cruise to Hawaii, trip to Disney and a Cruise to Europe. His family is blessed to have those amazing memories! Clyde attended several Cardinal games over the years but his most memorable was being present at the 2011 World Series winning game. He will be missed by so many people but his legacy will continue through everyone's lives he touched over the years. A "Celebration of Life" will be planned for a later date.

Clyde Edward Smotherman

December 21, 1933 - July 17, 2022