Max Wilbur Smith, 80, formerly of Des Moines, Iowa and Liberty, Missouri joined his family in heaven on September 1, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents Max and Almah Smith and brother, Charles Smith. His entire family will miss his jovial sense of humor, his willingness to help others and his sparkling brown eyes. He had a very outgoing personality and loved to visit with all. He never knew a stranger.
His family included wife, Linda Sue of 51 years, son Jeff and wife Laura of Burke, Virginia, daughter Traci and husband Greg Wendt of Cameron, Missouri, and daughter Heather and husband Richard Warren of Liberty, Missouri. He had seven loving grandchildren, Max and wife Dani Smith, Austin, Ben and wife Amber Wendt, Kyle Smith, Abigail Roach, Bryce and Jacob Warren, and two beautiful great granddaughters, Ellanore and Chloe Wendt.
Max leaves behind sister, Maxine and Mike Murray of Des Moines, Iowa, brother, Archie and Darlene Smith of Knoxville, Iowa, brother James Smith of Des Moines, Iowa, sister-in-law Marie Smith of Des Moines, and brother Ronald and Kim Smith of Palm Bay, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.
Max served in the US Army from 1957 to 1959 thereafter enrolling at Drake University where he obtained his law degree in 1965. He practiced private law for a short time but his career path took a turn. In 1965, he was asked to become the Friend of Court by a Polk County judge where his duty was to enforce collection of child support. This led to becoming the Director for the Iowa Department of Social Services in 1972, establishing offices throughout the State of Iowa. While in this position, he was elected to the Presidency of the National Child Support Association Conference in 1972. His career continued when he accepted the Regional Director for the Child Support Enforcement Program (OSCE) for the Federal Government in Kansas City, Missouri. He held several other positions before he retired after serving the Federal Government for 20 years.
After retirement, his main hobby was his yard. He loved being outside puttering. Many a neighbor would comment that he needed headlights on his mower or that he was the only person they had ever seen digging a deep hole for a plant or tree while sitting on the ground.
His other passion was Scouting. When his son become a Cub scout, he was right there
helping whenever he could, eventually becoming the Cubmaster. After moving to Liberty, he and Jeff became very active in Troop 374. Max held various leadership positions including Scoutmaster. They attended H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation every year where Max earned his Honorary Warrior in the tribe of Mic-O-Say. When his grandsons became active in Scouting years later, “Grandpa Max” became an active scout and grandpa to many boys in Troop 87 in Cameron, Missouri. He held various positions in Troop 87 and attended camp with them at Camp Geiger in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Max’s motto was: “To Live Life To the MAX!” Everything he did reflected this motto. His legacy will live on with his children and grandchildren living life to the Max.
Memorial Service: 2:00PM, Saturday, September 16, 2017 at the First Christian Church, Cameron, Missouri. Visitation: 1-2:00 PM, prior to the service. Inurnment at a later date. Memorial donations to First Christian Church, Cameron and/or Compassionate Care Hospice, Kansas City, Missouri. Online condolences may be left at www.polandthompson.com.

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