From Nevada Journal May 30, 1996
Alvin Clinton Smith
March 27, 1927 to May 24, 1996
Alvin Clinton Smith, 69, of Nevada, died of acute leukemia on Friday, May 24, at his home in Nevada.
He was born to James and Nellie (Johnson) Smith on March 27, 1927, near Story City. He had lived in Nevada for 34 years, previously having lived in Webster City, Story City and Jewell.
He attended Drake University for two years studying business administration. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On June 20, 1948, he married Ethyl Allen in Jewell. He was the owner and operator of a family shoe store, Al's Shoes in Nevada, for 30 years, retiring in 1992. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Nevada; Lions International; Indian Creek Country Club; and was a former member of the Nevada Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife, Ethyl of Nevada; two daughters, Deena Cross of West Des Moines and Dorian Myhre of Nevada; four grandchildren, Marisa Myhre, Alex Cross, Miranda Myhre and Adam Cross; one brother, Howard Smith of Story City; and one sister, Helen Nessa of Webster City.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, LaVerne Smith.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, May 29, at the First United Methodist Church, Nevada, with Pastor James W. King officiating. A private family burial of the cremains was held at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery. A memorial fund has been establish. Chet Ryan Mortuary, Nevada, handled arrangements.
From Nevada Journal May 23, 1991 (page 6)
Venturous People
Shoe business has changed since '62
By Marlys Thomas
News Editor
When he opened his business in 1962, Al Smith said, pointed toe shoes were in fashion.
"There were the most sharp, pointed-toe shoes; and a 16-year-old girl would come in and want the highest heel there was," Smith said. "Now that same girl will come in and want flats."
For 29 years, Smith has been selling shoes on Nevada's main street. And "dealing with people" has been his favorite part of running the business. "I would dislike a job where I didn't see anybody," he said. "I'd go nuts."
Smith was born at Story City and graduated from Story City High School. He spent 1-1/2 years in the Navy, he said, and was one of the lucky ones who got in at the tail-end of the World War II, serving in 1945 and 46. He attended Drake University for several years and not long after, went to Webster City to work in a shoe store.
"I was born and raised on a farm, but I didn't want to be a farmer," Smith said. "I always wanted to get into merchandising."
Smith spent nine years in Webster City, and worked in two shoe stores before pursuing his own business venture in Nevada. He purchased an existing shoe store called Shur-Fit Bootery, and ran it under that name for a short time, before changing it to Al's Shoes.
By running his business alone and occasional help from his wife, Ethyl Smith, he said he had established a personal relationship with many people. "When I walk down the street, 5-, 6- and 7-year olds will say, 'Hi, Al,' so at least they remember me."
"You have two seasonal buys a year. We'll be buying for spring in September and buying for fall in March," he said. "We used to buy for spring in November."
Imported shoes are the reason buying has to be done even earlier now, Smith said, noting that labor-oriented industries like the shoe industry have left this country. "Only 16 percent of the shoes we wear are made in this country, and sneakers, which are the biggest single seller... there are none of them made in this country," he said.
Dress shoes, according to Smith, come mainly from Brazil and China, while the main providers of sports shoes are Korea and Taiwan.
"Because of the fact we import so many shoes, we've lost many good lines of shoes," Smith said.
But Nevada has been good to Smith. "It's been a marvelous place to raise my two children," he said of his daughters, Deena Cross of West Des Moines and Dorian Myhre of Nevada. "It's a quiet, peaceful town."
Smith said he was once asked, "Why did you go into business?" He answered, "To make a living." The person asking him then said, "I thought you would say to help people."
"Probably," Smith said. "When I retire, (helping people is) the thing I'll really miss."
Alvin Clinton Smith
March 27, 1927 to May 24, 1996
Alvin Clinton Smith, 69, of Nevada, died of acute leukemia on Friday, May 24, at his home in Nevada.
He was born to James and Nellie (Johnson) Smith on March 27, 1927, near Story City. He had lived in Nevada for 34 years, previously having lived in Webster City, Story City and Jewell.
He attended Drake University for two years studying business administration. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On June 20, 1948, he married Ethyl Allen in Jewell. He was the owner and operator of a family shoe store, Al's Shoes in Nevada, for 30 years, retiring in 1992. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Nevada; Lions International; Indian Creek Country Club; and was a former member of the Nevada Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife, Ethyl of Nevada; two daughters, Deena Cross of West Des Moines and Dorian Myhre of Nevada; four grandchildren, Marisa Myhre, Alex Cross, Miranda Myhre and Adam Cross; one brother, Howard Smith of Story City; and one sister, Helen Nessa of Webster City.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, LaVerne Smith.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, May 29, at the First United Methodist Church, Nevada, with Pastor James W. King officiating. A private family burial of the cremains was held at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery. A memorial fund has been establish. Chet Ryan Mortuary, Nevada, handled arrangements.
From Nevada Journal May 23, 1991 (page 6)
Venturous People
Shoe business has changed since '62
By Marlys Thomas
News Editor
When he opened his business in 1962, Al Smith said, pointed toe shoes were in fashion.
"There were the most sharp, pointed-toe shoes; and a 16-year-old girl would come in and want the highest heel there was," Smith said. "Now that same girl will come in and want flats."
For 29 years, Smith has been selling shoes on Nevada's main street. And "dealing with people" has been his favorite part of running the business. "I would dislike a job where I didn't see anybody," he said. "I'd go nuts."
Smith was born at Story City and graduated from Story City High School. He spent 1-1/2 years in the Navy, he said, and was one of the lucky ones who got in at the tail-end of the World War II, serving in 1945 and 46. He attended Drake University for several years and not long after, went to Webster City to work in a shoe store.
"I was born and raised on a farm, but I didn't want to be a farmer," Smith said. "I always wanted to get into merchandising."
Smith spent nine years in Webster City, and worked in two shoe stores before pursuing his own business venture in Nevada. He purchased an existing shoe store called Shur-Fit Bootery, and ran it under that name for a short time, before changing it to Al's Shoes.
By running his business alone and occasional help from his wife, Ethyl Smith, he said he had established a personal relationship with many people. "When I walk down the street, 5-, 6- and 7-year olds will say, 'Hi, Al,' so at least they remember me."
"You have two seasonal buys a year. We'll be buying for spring in September and buying for fall in March," he said. "We used to buy for spring in November."
Imported shoes are the reason buying has to be done even earlier now, Smith said, noting that labor-oriented industries like the shoe industry have left this country. "Only 16 percent of the shoes we wear are made in this country, and sneakers, which are the biggest single seller... there are none of them made in this country," he said.
Dress shoes, according to Smith, come mainly from Brazil and China, while the main providers of sports shoes are Korea and Taiwan.
"Because of the fact we import so many shoes, we've lost many good lines of shoes," Smith said.
But Nevada has been good to Smith. "It's been a marvelous place to raise my two children," he said of his daughters, Deena Cross of West Des Moines and Dorian Myhre of Nevada. "It's a quiet, peaceful town."
Smith said he was once asked, "Why did you go into business?" He answered, "To make a living." The person asking him then said, "I thought you would say to help people."
"Probably," Smith said. "When I retire, (helping people is) the thing I'll really miss."
From Nevada Journal May 30, 1996
Alvin Clinton Smith
March 27, 1927 to May 24, 1996
Alvin Clinton Smith, 69, of Nevada, died of acute leukemia on Friday, May 24, at his home in Nevada.
He was born to James and Nellie (Johnson) Smith on March 27, 1927, near Story City. He had lived in Nevada for 34 years, previously having lived in Webster City, Story City and Jewell.
He attended Drake University for two years studying business administration. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On June 20, 1948, he married Ethyl Allen in Jewell. He was the owner and operator of a family shoe store, Al's Shoes in Nevada, for 30 years, retiring in 1992. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Nevada; Lions International; Indian Creek Country Club; and was a former member of the Nevada Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife, Ethyl of Nevada; two daughters, Deena Cross of West Des Moines and Dorian Myhre of Nevada; four grandchildren, Marisa Myhre, Alex Cross, Miranda Myhre and Adam Cross; one brother, Howard Smith of Story City; and one sister, Helen Nessa of Webster City.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, LaVerne Smith.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, May 29, at the First United Methodist Church, Nevada, with Pastor James W. King officiating. A private family burial of the cremains was held at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery. A memorial fund has been establish. Chet Ryan Mortuary, Nevada, handled arrangements.
From Nevada Journal May 23, 1991 (page 6)
Venturous People
Shoe business has changed since '62
By Marlys Thomas
News Editor
When he opened his business in 1962, Al Smith said, pointed toe shoes were in fashion.
"There were the most sharp, pointed-toe shoes; and a 16-year-old girl would come in and want the highest heel there was," Smith said. "Now that same girl will come in and want flats."
For 29 years, Smith has been selling shoes on Nevada's main street. And "dealing with people" has been his favorite part of running the business. "I would dislike a job where I didn't see anybody," he said. "I'd go nuts."
Smith was born at Story City and graduated from Story City High School. He spent 1-1/2 years in the Navy, he said, and was one of the lucky ones who got in at the tail-end of the World War II, serving in 1945 and 46. He attended Drake University for several years and not long after, went to Webster City to work in a shoe store.
"I was born and raised on a farm, but I didn't want to be a farmer," Smith said. "I always wanted to get into merchandising."
Smith spent nine years in Webster City, and worked in two shoe stores before pursuing his own business venture in Nevada. He purchased an existing shoe store called Shur-Fit Bootery, and ran it under that name for a short time, before changing it to Al's Shoes.
By running his business alone and occasional help from his wife, Ethyl Smith, he said he had established a personal relationship with many people. "When I walk down the street, 5-, 6- and 7-year olds will say, 'Hi, Al,' so at least they remember me."
"You have two seasonal buys a year. We'll be buying for spring in September and buying for fall in March," he said. "We used to buy for spring in November."
Imported shoes are the reason buying has to be done even earlier now, Smith said, noting that labor-oriented industries like the shoe industry have left this country. "Only 16 percent of the shoes we wear are made in this country, and sneakers, which are the biggest single seller... there are none of them made in this country," he said.
Dress shoes, according to Smith, come mainly from Brazil and China, while the main providers of sports shoes are Korea and Taiwan.
"Because of the fact we import so many shoes, we've lost many good lines of shoes," Smith said.
But Nevada has been good to Smith. "It's been a marvelous place to raise my two children," he said of his daughters, Deena Cross of West Des Moines and Dorian Myhre of Nevada. "It's a quiet, peaceful town."
Smith said he was once asked, "Why did you go into business?" He answered, "To make a living." The person asking him then said, "I thought you would say to help people."
"Probably," Smith said. "When I retire, (helping people is) the thing I'll really miss."
Alvin Clinton Smith
March 27, 1927 to May 24, 1996
Alvin Clinton Smith, 69, of Nevada, died of acute leukemia on Friday, May 24, at his home in Nevada.
He was born to James and Nellie (Johnson) Smith on March 27, 1927, near Story City. He had lived in Nevada for 34 years, previously having lived in Webster City, Story City and Jewell.
He attended Drake University for two years studying business administration. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On June 20, 1948, he married Ethyl Allen in Jewell. He was the owner and operator of a family shoe store, Al's Shoes in Nevada, for 30 years, retiring in 1992. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Nevada; Lions International; Indian Creek Country Club; and was a former member of the Nevada Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife, Ethyl of Nevada; two daughters, Deena Cross of West Des Moines and Dorian Myhre of Nevada; four grandchildren, Marisa Myhre, Alex Cross, Miranda Myhre and Adam Cross; one brother, Howard Smith of Story City; and one sister, Helen Nessa of Webster City.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, LaVerne Smith.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, May 29, at the First United Methodist Church, Nevada, with Pastor James W. King officiating. A private family burial of the cremains was held at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery. A memorial fund has been establish. Chet Ryan Mortuary, Nevada, handled arrangements.
From Nevada Journal May 23, 1991 (page 6)
Venturous People
Shoe business has changed since '62
By Marlys Thomas
News Editor
When he opened his business in 1962, Al Smith said, pointed toe shoes were in fashion.
"There were the most sharp, pointed-toe shoes; and a 16-year-old girl would come in and want the highest heel there was," Smith said. "Now that same girl will come in and want flats."
For 29 years, Smith has been selling shoes on Nevada's main street. And "dealing with people" has been his favorite part of running the business. "I would dislike a job where I didn't see anybody," he said. "I'd go nuts."
Smith was born at Story City and graduated from Story City High School. He spent 1-1/2 years in the Navy, he said, and was one of the lucky ones who got in at the tail-end of the World War II, serving in 1945 and 46. He attended Drake University for several years and not long after, went to Webster City to work in a shoe store.
"I was born and raised on a farm, but I didn't want to be a farmer," Smith said. "I always wanted to get into merchandising."
Smith spent nine years in Webster City, and worked in two shoe stores before pursuing his own business venture in Nevada. He purchased an existing shoe store called Shur-Fit Bootery, and ran it under that name for a short time, before changing it to Al's Shoes.
By running his business alone and occasional help from his wife, Ethyl Smith, he said he had established a personal relationship with many people. "When I walk down the street, 5-, 6- and 7-year olds will say, 'Hi, Al,' so at least they remember me."
"You have two seasonal buys a year. We'll be buying for spring in September and buying for fall in March," he said. "We used to buy for spring in November."
Imported shoes are the reason buying has to be done even earlier now, Smith said, noting that labor-oriented industries like the shoe industry have left this country. "Only 16 percent of the shoes we wear are made in this country, and sneakers, which are the biggest single seller... there are none of them made in this country," he said.
Dress shoes, according to Smith, come mainly from Brazil and China, while the main providers of sports shoes are Korea and Taiwan.
"Because of the fact we import so many shoes, we've lost many good lines of shoes," Smith said.
But Nevada has been good to Smith. "It's been a marvelous place to raise my two children," he said of his daughters, Deena Cross of West Des Moines and Dorian Myhre of Nevada. "It's a quiet, peaceful town."
Smith said he was once asked, "Why did you go into business?" He answered, "To make a living." The person asking him then said, "I thought you would say to help people."
"Probably," Smith said. "When I retire, (helping people is) the thing I'll really miss."
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
