Glen Hilton Smith

Mr. Glen Hilton Smith, 81, from McAllen, TX passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, at DHR Hospital in Edinburg, TX. It is with deep sorrow that we announce his passing, a beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law, and friend. Glen was born September 8, 1943, in San Antonio, TX to Clyde and Doris Smith. He graduated from McAllen High School, and despite his struggles with the aftereffects of polio, he was a real trooper in every sense of the word and went on to graduate from the University of Texas Pharmacy School in Austin earning a pharmacy degree. He was a registered pharmacist. His dream after finishing pharmacy school was to work at Faulkner’s Drug Store (because, you know, the place was legendary). After working at Faulkner’s and serving the McAllen community for many years, he went on to become part of the first team of pharmacists who served our country’s veterans at the Veteran’s Administration Clinic on Colonel Rowe Blvd when it opened in the early 90’s. Glen knew he wanted to be a pharmacist since the eighth grade when he heard a pharmacist speak at his Jr. High’s Career Fair. After that, he never looked back. To many, though, Glen was known for driving an emerald green ’68 Corvette Stingray to work every day. Occasionally, just once in a while, he let his brother David drive it. Later, his ride to work became a candy apple red ’74 convertible Corvette Stingray which he kept for many years and even allowed his wife to drive it occasionally. Then, he became a father, and without hesitation, he traded his corvette for a family car. In his younger years, Glen was an outdoorsman enjoying fishing (especially deep-sea fishing) and hunting with his family. Coming from a family of outdoorsmen, furriers and taxidermists, Glen received his first knife at the age of five, and from then on, he loved knives. He collected them throughout his life and was always quick to give them as gifts to family and friends. One of his main life-long interests was collecting arrowheads, fossils, and rocks which he hunted for himself. He also loved to travel, exploring all of Texas, North America, and places abroad, He would bring some of these fossils and artifacts home with him from every trip, and on a trip to Greece, he even collected a rock that “he was certain” the Apostle Paul had to have walked on when he preached to his audiences in Greece. Glen loved listening to a wide variety of music throughout his life, including Willie Nelson, The Eagles, Elvis, Sergio Mendes, Spanish ballads, mariachi music, and many others. In fact, he was at the Bob Dylan concert on September 24, 1965, which was two months after Dylan shocked the Newport crowd by going electric during the second part of his set. The September 24 concert in Austin was the first time he performed with his new backing band, Levon Helm and the Hawks. History was made, and Glen was there. He said it was the best concert he had ever seen. Some of Glen’s passions were reading, listening to podcasts, and watching movies. He would devour a book in a single night and although he enjoyed reading just about anything he could learn something about, he thoroughly enjoyed reading murder mysteries, spy stories like James Bond and Tom Clancy novels, and all about Biblical archeology. He listened to a variety of podcasts, talk shows, and news media, and was always well informed about all the current events taking place in the world. He could talk on just about every subject, and a great advantage about being on his team during a game of Trivial Pursuit was that his team would ALWAYS win. He was a movie buff and was always ready to recommend the best ones to his siblings. Glen Hilton Smith is survived by his wife of 39 years, Marie Chavez Smith, son Nathan Hilton Smith, brother David Smith (Debbie), sister Kathy Kreidler (Colly), nephews Shawn Smith (Meghan Crabtree), Michael Bellipanni (Catie Khvorost), nieces Haley Patterson (Bryan), Rachel Boswell (Patrick), great-nephew Clyde Patterson, and great-nieces EmmaJean Boswell, Ondine Boswell, and Lennon Patterson, and his cat Tarzan (Big Boy). Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents Clyde Stapp Smith and Doris Muriel Hilton Smith, his paternal grandparents Elmer Smith and Beatrice Smith (Nana Bea), his maternal grandparents Horace Hilton and Gladys Hilton. Glen loved all his family from the oldest to the youngest members. He was a smart scientist and a very kind peacemaker. Everyone knew him to be extremely down-to-earth and easy to get along with. He was knowledgeable about so much and always had interesting stories to share and family and friends always enjoyed their conversations with him. He was also patient and generous and had a calm and confident spirituality with a faith in God that never wavered. One family friend said, “Clearly there was a beautiful music thread through him and family, as well as an intellect that overcame challenges.” He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all that knew him. Viewing will take place on Monday, August 4, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Kreidler Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 2201 Martin Ave. in McAllen at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5 with the burial taking place at Valley Memorial Gardens on Taylor Road at 1:00 p.m. also on August 5. The family thanks paramedics, Doctors, nurses, and all the medical staff who took care of Mr. Smith at DHR hospital.

Tributes

Glen Hilton Smith

July 29, 2025