Zeb Smith

 Zeb Smith, 40, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, a true hero serving his fellow man. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Grace Church, with Pastors BP Vinson and Dwight Kirksey officiating. Burial will follow in Westlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Fritch. In lieu of flowers, please honor his sacrifice with a donation to the Fritch Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 758, Fritch, Texas, 79036, or to the account set up at Pantex Federal Credit Union for his sons. Zeb will lie in state at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Celebration Family Church in Fritch; the family will receive guests from 5-7 p.m. 

Zeb was born November 14, 1983, in Borger, Texas. He graduated from Borger High School in 2002. Zeb was a member of Celebration Family Church in Fritch. A team roper in his younger years, he enjoyed rodeoing, he even rode a few bulls. He found peace and comfort in working cattle. Zeb served as the President of the Hutchinson County Livestock Board and was a former Hutchinson County Sheriff Posse member. Nothing brought him more joy than his boys; he would travel two hours for a thirty-minute soccer game if it meant being there for them. 

Firefighting was his true passion. Zeb began his firefighting career for Chevron Phillips Fire Service in August 2016. He first volunteered with the Fritch Volunteer Fire Department in November of 2017. In May of 2020, he became the Fire Chief of the Fritch Volunteer Fire Department. Zeb was extremely honored to have graduated from Fire Chief School in August of 2023. While at FVFD, he worked tirelessly on obtaining grants and donations to benefit his fire family and ensure his crew had the finest training and best equipment they could get. In fact, during his time as Chief, he was able to get two fire trucks donated to the FVFD. 

His smile made you know he cared; he was ALWAYS available to help. Zeb embodied the servant’s heart persona, always taking pride in helping others. He truly loved his fellow man. 

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl Randall Smith, Lou Ella Stafford Smith, and Kay Litterell; his uncles, Jimmie Smith and Cecil Gilchrest; and his aunt, Debra Smith.

Survivors include his sons, Zane and Braylan; Braylan’s siblings, Ally Brown, Kaylin Kent and husband Levi, CJ Brown; parents, Joe and Lisa Smith of Fritch, Bridget Avery; grandparents, Winnie Litterell, GC and Linda Alburty, all of Borger; brothers, Matt Smith and wife Megan of Stinnett, Cody Smith and wife Angel of Fritch; sisters, Jennifer Anderson and husband Jared of Fritch, Jessika Sanders and husband Johnny of Fritch; nieces and nephews, Maecee Anderson, Jacob Anderson, Kyler Anderson, Cooper Sanders, Elise Sanders, Cade Sanders, Button Smith, Jeran Nolen, Lula Nolen, Kaysen Smith all who loved their Uncle Bubba fiercely;  aunts and uncles, Carla Gilchrest of Tuttle, Oklahoma, Debbie Smith of Dumas, Cara Petty of Borger, Leslie Ford and husband Steve of Borger, James and Gina Murray of Sanford; numerous cousins; a host of extended family; and his firefighting family.