Albert “Buster” Leroy Smith

Albert “Buster” Leroy Smith, 82, a longtime Centralia resident, passed away Dec. 17, 2019. Buster, as he was known by family and friends, was born in Tacoma, Wash., to Ervin and Alice Smith. A few years later, a brother, Buddy and a sister, Billie Jo were born.

Growing up on the outskirts of Tacoma (L Street), Buster was introduced to all kinds of critters and in his teens he spent time on a ranch in Montana which focused his life towards livestock. Upon returning home, he began shoeing horses, with his mom driving him around to clients. In the 1950s, Buster met and married (with permission from HIS parents, because he wasn’t of age) Emma Van Zanten, daughter of NW harness racing legend, “Handy Andy” Van Zanten.

In 1956, being newly married and figuring out that horseshoeing and rodeoing wasn’t paying the bills, Buster went to work for Ben Barker and this is where his lifelong career of training and showing cutting horses began. Thru the years, Buster trained, showed and owned such great horses as King Fritz, Bueno Chex, The Maestro, Frank Buck and many more.

Buster and Emma had three children, Ken, Ben and Connie. They eventually divorced.  After several years, Buster married Cindy Hoff and in 1973, they welcomed a daughter, Janet “Skunk” Smith. He continued to train and show cutting horses in Selah (The Wenas), Ellensburg and Sumner. Eventually divorcing, Buster made Centralia his permanent home and has spent the last 30 years there with Judy and the horses and cattle they loved.

Buster was involved with many organizations and was inducted into the 1998 Northwest Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame. In 2012, he received a “Legends Award” in recognition of his lifetime cutting achievements and support of The Cuttin’ Loose Club of Washington, of which he was President and Board Member for many years. Buster was a member of the Centralia Eagles and Centralia Fire District 12. He was a founding member of the Washington Livestock Coalition and they created a scholarship for local students in his honor. Buster was also a board member of Oakville Regional Event Center (OREC) when he passed.

He leaves behind his companion, best friend and love of his life for 30 years, Judy Smith; children, Ken (Darlene), Ben, Connie Dovey (John) and Janet “Skunk” (Darby); honorary sons and daughters, Travis Logan (Rachel), Marco DiCicco (Sori), Tim Phipps, Mardie Jo Jendrycka, Kathie Taylor and Sherrie Larsen; numerous grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to give their heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center and Dr. Anthony Fritz and Dr. Daniel Byrd for their wonderful and thoughtful care. A HUGE thanks to Buster and Judy’s longtime friends, Dan Venable, Ed Armstrong, Nick Cockrell and OREC for all their contributions and continued helping Judy in the aftermath of Busters passing.

At Buster’s request, a potluck party to celebrate his life, including donated BBQ pigs, will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 7, 2020, at the Thurston County Posse Hall, 5949 Maytown Rd. SW, Olympia, WA 98512. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Buster’s name to Oakville Regional Event Center (OREC), P.O. Box 278, Oakville, WA 98568.