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A historic photo of Harry ‘Coochie’ Smith taken by the editor of the local Superior newspaper decades ago was occasioned by Smith’s pointing out to the community the problem at that time of raw sewage in parts of the area. Around that time, Superior formed a sanitary board having to do with sewers and Smith became active in that project. (Superior Sun photo)
December 14, 1925 – December 18, 2013
Harry Edward Smith or “Coochie” as he was known to his hometown of Superior, Arizona passed away peacefully on Dec. 18, 2013.
Born Dec. 14, 1925 in Superior to local pioneers, Elizabeth Mitchell Smith and Charles Hamilton Smith, he was the youngest of seven children. Raised on the Smith Ranch, south of Superior, and adjacent to Highway 177, he explored the desert and the surrounding hills, while barefooted to his heart’s content. He often said the Smith kids only put shoes on to go to town or to school.
He married Helen Emily Kennedy in 1946. After living in Oregon for nine years, the couple returned to Superior with a daughter Elizabeth Susan in 1955. Coochie then started his career with the Magma Copper Company where he remained until the mine closed in 1981.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents and all of his siblings. He is survived by his wife, Helen; daughter, Susie (Danny) Ketron; grandson, Chris (Lori) Ketron; granddaughter, R. Christine Ketron; great- grandchildren, Kortny Payne, Shauncey Pusch, Ashley Ketron, Emma Provost, Audra Ketron, and Lindsay Ketron. He has one great-great-grandchild, Evee Pusch-Simpson. In addition, he is survived by several nephews and one niece.
A graveside service will be officiated by Ted Kennedy Jr. the first week of the New Year.
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