Grady Smith DeFoore, Jr., of Waco, known affectionately by all as “Smitty,” transitioned to life beyond this Earth on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at Providence Health Center in Waco.
Visitation with his family will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 25, 2016 at Lake Shore Funeral Home followed by a memorial service that is to be conducted at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel of Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend Road, in Waco. The service will be officiated by John DeFoore, Sr., Smitty’s uncle. Burial will be in Sidon, Mississippi, where Smitty’s ashes will be inurned between his mother and father, two people whom he never stopped missing from the moment they left this life.
Smitty was born July 14, 1950 in Natchez, Mississippi. He was adopted there by adoring parents, Grady Smith DeFoore, Sr., and Mattie Elizabeth DeFoore, née Smith, known as “Beth.” Smitty lived in several places, including Memphis, Fort Worth, and Houston, but by far his favorite place was Waco, where he grew up. Smitty attended Reicher Catholic High School, where he made friendships which affected him and stayed with him his entire life, including that of his beloved wife, Lisa Braswell-DeFoore. He often spoke with deep fondness of the nuns who taught him there, as well. Under their tutelage, he was shaped into the man everyone knew and loved.
Smitty never stopped pursuing his art and the things he loved most, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at East Texas State University, now known as Texas A&M Commerce, and a Master of Fine Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in his favorite field, photography. The chasing of art and the meaning that held for him was a lifelong journey, and a journey which informed and crafted his being as much as he crafted his art into life. Other than his thesis show at RIT (2007); he also showed at the Kresge Gallery at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas (2009); the Croft Art Gallery in Waco, (2011); and the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (LHUCA) in Lubbock, (2013). He will show at the Art Center of Waco in Waco, from February 25th through April 2nd, 2016. He had plans to show at LHUCA again in August of 2016. During his adventures as an artist, he even studied with Ansel Adams, whom he admired his whole life. But almost as much as he loved his art, Smitty loved music. He loved anything about the blues, as it reflected the heart of the Mississippi Delta, homeland of his DeFoore family. If it could be picked, Smitty could pick it on the guitar, frequently with the company of his cousins, whom he loved as brothers: John “Johnny” DeFoore, Jr., William “Bill” DeFoore, Rick “Ricky” DeFoore and Marney DeFoore. Frequently his art extended to music, as he wrote his own songs.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Lisa Braswell-DeFoore; his eldest son, Dustin DeFoore; his daughter, Alexandra DeFoore and her husband, Jacob Sullivan; his youngest son, Cayce DeFoore; his son- and daughter-in-law, David and Claudia Schwartze and his step-granddaughter, Julia Schwartze; his son- and daughter-in-law, Erich and Becky Schwartze; and generations of loving cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
In lieu of floral arrangements, the family requests that memorial contributions in Smitty’s memory, be made to LHUCA. For more information, go to www.lhuca.org
“Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear.” —John Lennon
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.LakeShoreFH.com
Contact Information: Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
To lose a loved one rips the seams of life apart for those who love him. To lose him suddenly tears your heart out. For those of us who are friends our grief is different as we stand by knowing words may touch less tenderly than silent hugs and shared tears. Know that you are loved, Lisa. That love radiates to Dusty and Casey and the rest of the Defoore family who stand bereft.
Lisa, Jay and I are so sorry. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
I attended Lake Air Junior High with Grady. He was such an outgoing and friendly fellow. May you experience God’s peace and love during your time of loss.
Rest well sweet friend! Thank you for all the laughs and fun memories from the third floor.
Lisa, my heartfelt feeling and thoughts are with you and all Smitty’s family and loved ones. I am so thankful I got to spend time with Smitty and you at our recent Reunion and reminiscing old school days. He was one in a million and will be truly missed. Love to you all!
So many of my memories of Grady revolve around music. Singing during lunch breaks, on the way to band practice, on the band bus to and from football games, in Hyacinth Burt’s “Beetle” bumming rides home. To this day (40-odd years later) I can’t hear a Peter, Paul & Mary song without remembering working up harmonies while Grady played guitar. I know he’s somewhere creating brilliant photos – and singing and playing – in a heaven that is thrilled to welcome such a talented, caring, funny, exceptional person. My thoughts, love, and prayers are with Grady’s family and friends who were so blessed to know him.
I still can’t believe it. Such a loss. It is hard to grasp that this vibrant artist is not still circling the planet with us. Many thoughts and prayers to you Lisa and to Dusty, Casey and Alexandra.
An original work of art lived with a vision that touched others.
Condolences to all the family and friends.
Reicher will remember…
I’m so sad to hear of the passing of this delightful man. I only knew Grady for a short time, but the time I spent with Grady and Lisa were fun and memorable.
David, so very sorry for your family’s loss. Our prayers are with you.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire DeFoore family.
My heartfelt condolences are with you. Grady will be greatly missed and I am blessed to have known him.
Cayce and Family,
Wishing you strength for today and hope for tomorrow. We extend to you our deep and heartfelt sympathy . Premier High School of Waco
The Grady DeFoore Family,
So sorry for your loss. I only knew Grady in our 1968-1969 years at Reicher HS. He always replied to our High School Reunion announcements although he was unable to attend at the time. He was always entertaining and will always be remembered. He seems to have lived “Life” to its fullest.
Sincerely,
Nancy Kluck Coker
I’m so sorry for your loss, Lisa.
Smitty was such a force of creativity and energy and crazy fun. I was very privileged to know him and watch him in motion. His strength of authentic living to lead Lisa and his children through a tremendous transition, but missing him will never end for all of us.