30th Smithwick Family Reunion held at Jellystone Park
The 30th H.O. Smithwick Annual Family Reunion was held August 2-4, at North Texas Jellystone Park in Burleson. On Friday, family members arrived and enjoyed swimming at the Pirate Cove Waterpark and other pools at the park, playing glow in the dark mini golf and visiting.
On Saturday morning some of the members played golf at Hidden Creek Golf Club. Saturday activities included the children visiting the petting zoo, playing on the playground, visiting the Barn with many activities including crafts, mini golf and play area.
Yogi Bear, Cindy Bear and BooBoo Bear were also available for pictures and visiting with. Members enjoyed more swimming at the water park and pools on Saturday.
The Saturday evening meal was at Sammy’s Italian Bistro in Burleson.
After the meal Kerlene and Butch Ross were honored with memories from family members and a cake to celebrate their 60th anniversary. Dessert also included the traditional cake honoring family member graduates and decade anniversaries and birthdays.
The 2024 high school graduate was Maegan Thrasher of Montgomery Lake Creek High School. Maegan is the last Smithwick grandchild to graduate from high school.
For fifty years, the Smithwick family has been celebrating high school graduation of grandchildren. Trachelle Yvonne McDaris Holloway was the first in 1974, from Olney High School .2024 college graduates honored were Ryan Inge of Texas Tech University (BSN) and Chaz Culp of Provident University (MBA). Anniversary honorees were Kimberly and David Bridgers and Meredith and Ryan Tillett (10 yrs.), Yvonne and Keith Holloway (50 yrs.) and Kerlene and Butch Ross (60 yrs.). Birthdays honored were Kyler Edwards and Lauren Inge (30 yrs.), Heather Holloway Groves (40 yrs.) and Mike McDaris (60 yrs.).
Also on Saturday evening the soon- to-be newest family members were honored with a baby shower. Honorees were Baby Edwards to Morgan and Kyler Edwards and James Chapman Tillett to Meredith and Ryan Tillett. Both babies are due in December.
The family banner was signed and family pictures taken. Family members who are currently serving our country were missed. Those include in the United States Air Force (Christopher Ciaccio and Blake Gray), the United States Army (Steele Culp and Harper Culp) and the United States Marine Corps (Grace Carnley). Members completed Saturday evening visiting.
Among those attending were Howard and Debbie McDaris, Brittany and Joe Pugliesi and Landrie, Amber and fiancé, Jacob Barron all of Burkburnett, Janette Ross and Matthew Inge of Frisco, Teresa Halfmann of Pottsboro, Tina and Marvin Thrasher and Maegan of Montgomery, Clif and Rajonia Carnley, Meredith and Ryan Tillett and Rose and Eleanor all of Van Alstyne, Kerlene and Butch Ross of Lake Kiowa, Kristi and Kent Gray and Zoe of Houston, Chelsea and Garren Opendoff and Eadelyn and Graham of Borger, Morgan and Kyler Edwards and Karsynn and Kizer of Tahoka and Lynnette and Chaz Culp of Gunter.