Dean Smith's life was marked by a diverse array of pursuits, including his childhood in Eliasville, Texas, where he developed a strong connection to the land and its traditions. Later, he would make his home in Breckenridge, Texas, where he would raise horses and longhorn cattle, a testament to his enduring love for the natural world.
As a young man, Dean Smith attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he distinguished himself in both track and football. His athletic prowess was recognized at the highest level, as he won an Olympic gold medal for the 400-meter relay in the 1952 Helsinki games, and finished fourth in the 100-meter dash, narrowly missing the podium in what is still considered the closest race in Olympic history.
Dean Smith's collegiate career was marked by numerous accolades, including his role as the lead-off man on the University of Texas world record relay team, and his status as AAU national champion in the 100-meter dash. He also played football with the Los Angeles Rams during exhibition season, and was later traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, after which he decided to pursue a career in the movie industry.
In addition to his athletic and cinematic endeavors, Dean Smith was a skilled rodeo competitor, winning amateur championships for bareback bronco riding and calf roping. He was an honorary member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the Stuntman's Hall of Fame, and the University of Texas Hall of Fame.
Dean Smith's many awards and accolades included the American Culture Award for Western Movies and Television, the Golden Boot Award, the Ben Johnson Award, the All American Cowboy Award, and the Head of the Class Alvin Davis Award. In 2002, he organized a series of celebrity rodeos to benefit the Cowboy Cancer Crusade and the John Wayne Cancer Institute, and was honored by the John Wayne Cancer Institute with the "Duke Award" in 2006.
Tragically, Dean Smith passed away in 2023 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy that spanned multiple fields and endeared him to countless people. Despite his many accomplishments, Dean Smith remained humble and kind, and his memory continues to inspire and delight those who knew him.
