R. E. Smith
Robert Everett Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Greenville, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | November 29, 1973 (aged 79) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, oil industry executive, real estate developer, rancher |
| Years active | 1920–1973 |
| Known for | Oil production, real estate development, ranching, involvement in Houston's Astrodome project and Houston Colt .45s baseball team acquisition |
| Notable work | Development of Galveston Yacht Basin, Jamaica Beach, and Tiki Island communities |
Robert Everett Smith (born August 28, 1894 – died November 29, 1973) was a prominent American figure in the oil industry, real estate development, and ranching, primarily operating out of Houston. In 1957, he was listed among the seventy-six wealthiest individuals in the United States by Fortune magazine. Additionally, in 1969, author Kenneth Lamott recognized him as one of the notable members of the "Great Big New Rich".
Biography
After graduating from Humble High School in 1911, Smith spent nearly ten years playing semi-professional baseball. During World War I, he completed military training at Camp Pike, Arkansas. Following his service, he gained experience working in oilfields and warehouses for companies such as Humble Oil, Gulf Oil, and the Texas Company. Subsequently, Smith advanced to the role of sales manager at Peden Iron and Steel and later at the W. K. M. Company. His entrepreneurial journey began in 1920 when he became a drilling contractor and oil producer.
Smith partnered with Claude Hamill to acquire land near William P. Hobby Airport in southeastern Harris County, a region that saw considerable value growth over time. By the 1940s, Smith had purchased Hamill’s shares, including ownership of thirty-six oil wells located in the East Texas oil field. His ventures extended briefly into media ownership with a Pasadena newspaper, and during World War II, he served as regional director for civil defense. He also held the position of chairman for the Houston Housing Authority.
Throughout his career, Smith assumed leadership positions such as president of the Petroleum Club of Houston and established Houston's United Citizens Association in 1955. In the 1960s, he was responsible for developing Galveston Yacht Basin and championed projects under the Jamaica Corporation, which developed communities like Jamaica Beach and Tiki Island in Galveston County. He played a key role in advancing the Harris County Domed Stadium (Astrodome) initiative on land under his control and was involved in acquiring the Houston Colt .45s baseball team in 1962.
By 1964, Smith’s holdings included more than 11,000 acres in Harris County dedicated to cattle and horse ranching, alongside additional properties situated in Fort Bend and Colorado counties. He married Vivian Leatherberry in 1935, and together they had two daughters. Among his accolades were the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle awarded in 1951 and honorary degrees from George Pepperdine College, Texas Wesleyan College, and Southwestern University. Smith actively supported organizations such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston World Trade Committee, and Houston Symphony Orchestra. He was a devoted adherent of the Methodist faith.