Haralds Smits died on Monday, July 20, 2015, in his home with his loving wife by his side. He was born March 21, 1925, in Ledurga, Latvia. Haralds served in World War II in the Latvian Legion on the Russian front. He and his wife, Klara, immigrated to the United States in June 1951. They first lived in Albany, Texas, and later settled in Nederland. Haralds worked for Sinclair Koppers and retired in January 1983. He enjoyed working on cars, attending German Club events, and Latvia events. Haralds loved spending time with friends and family especially at his property on Toledo Bend.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Klara, of Nederland; sons, Harry and his wife, Kari, of Brighton, Colorado and Valdis and his wife, Candace, of Sugar Land; daughter, Karin Smits of Nederland; grandchildren, Kyle; Kristin; Jessica and her husband, Bryce Buchanan; Kara; and Stefanie; and will be especially missed by his faithful dog, Poncho.
Haralds is preceded in death by his parents, Fricis and Austra Smits; brother, Valdis Smits; half-sister, Elvira Smits; and grandson, Brian Smits.
A gathering of Mr. Smits’ family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m., with his funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 2015, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2711 Helena Avenue, Nederland. His interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, Nederland.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Smits' memory to Texas Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 300630, Suite 5214, Houston, Texas 77230-0630.
