Paul Dee Smith, 77, of Lincoln, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2015. Born April 21, 1937 to John and Grace (Gatewood) Smith in Walthill, Nebraska.

Paul was raised on a farm five miles northeast of Lyons and attended Jefferson Country School and Lyons High School. He graduated in 1955 and was honored as co-captain of the football and basketball teams, setting scoring records and being chosen the 1955 Sports King.

He spent several summers at horse racing tracks helping race family owned thoroughbreds and maintained a life-long interest in horse racing.

Paul graduated from UNL in 1959 with a BS in Agriculture with a major in Soil Conservation. He spent 35 years with USDA, Soil Conservation Service and lived in eight towns in Nebraska in 11 positions. He received two National Commendations from Soil and Water Conservation Society and five Certificate of Merit Awards from SCS.

He married Sharon (Sailors) June 21, 1958 and raised four children. One of his greatest joys was coaching his kids in various sports and also attending games and matches of all the grandchildren. He will be missed on the sidelines.

In retirement, he enjoyed genealogy, photography, and computers. Member: St. Teresa Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus for 50 years, Soil and Water Conservation Society, and past SCS Retirees Club president.

Survived by wife, Sharon; children, Jody Cotton (Dwayne), Cheryl Bell (Mark), Kevin Smith, Lisa Andersen (Steve); 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Irene Smith, Elaine Mallette (Joe), and Carol Ostrand (Dwain).

Preceded in death by parents, John and Grace Smith; and brother, Jim Smith.

Funeral Mass on Thursday, Feb. 12, at St. Teresa Catholic Church. Memorials to Soil and Water Conservation Foundation, St. Teresa Catholic Church, or Pius X High School. Interment at Calvary Cemetery.

Obituary information from the Lincoln Journal Star.