Dr. Joe Kenneth Smith

Dr. Joe Kenneth Smith, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on April 30, 2026, in Lockhart, Texas. 

Joe was born in Tomball, Texas to S.L. and Mattie (Bowers) Smith on October 11, 1937. An only child, Joe grew up in Tomball and graduated from Tomball High School in 1956, after having served as the class president, and earning recognition as a class favorite and most outstanding student.  In his teens, Joe also played football, played in the band, and attained the rank of Eagle Scout.   Joe attended college at Baylor University, graduating with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1960.  Four years later, in May 1964, he graduated from Baylor Dental College in Dallas.

Joe met the woman who would become his beloved wife of 61 years, Peggy Pate, on a blind date. They were married in June 1964 in Lancaster, Texas, and immediately moved to Ft. Louis, Washington where Joe was stationed as part of a three-year dental residency with the U.S. Army.  From there, they moved to Fort Carson, Colorado. Joe and Peggy then decided to come back to Texas in 1967. That year, Joe established his dental practice in south Austin, they joined Woodlawn Baptist Church, and welcomed their first child, Jolee. Four years later, their son Kenneth Todd arrived.  Joe loved being a dentist and enjoyed talking to his patients and getting to know his colleagues. His practice thrived and moved to two different buildings on Western Trails Boulevard. By the time he retired, Joe had practiced dentistry for 50 years, and had served as a member of the Austin Dental Society, the Texas State Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.

In 1975, Joe and Peggy bought a ranch in Lockhart, Texas, where his parents had retired. On that ranch, Joe could hunt, fish, ranch, and eventually would establish a hay & cattle business that he was still successfully running at the time of his passing. Joe and Peggy officially moved to Lockhart full time from Austin in 1996. 

Joe loved his Lord and Savior Jesus, and he shared the gospel with many who crossed his path. He served as a Deacon at Woodlawn Baptist Church, Hyde Park Baptist Church, and First Lockhart Baptist Church. He also served on the school board at Hyde Park Baptist School. 

Joe genuinely loved people, whether it be patients, customers or friends. He was always happiest when he was surrounded by his family. He is survived by his beloved wife Peggy, daughter Jolee Smith Mikula and her husband Randy of Fulshear, Texas, grandsons Ryan Mikula (and fiance Emily Rudman) of Austin, and Will Mikula of Austin; son Todd Smith and his wife Allison of Lockhart, Texas and granddaughters Kennedy and Mattie Smith of Lockhart. 

Funeral services for Joe will be held on Friday, May 8th at First Lockhart Baptist Church, 315 Prairie Lea Street. Visitation will be at 9:30 am, with the service following at 10:30 am, and lunch afterwards. Burial will be at 1:30pm at Clearfork Cemetery in Caldwell County, TX.

The family requests that memorials be sent to Woodlawn Baptist Church in Austin or to Samaritan’s Purse. 

Arrangements in care of McCurdy Funeral Home.