I would like to tell you a little story of a brave son of mine that was born just to be brave soldier of God.
On September 6, 1991 at 5:30 a.m. a little Hispanic boy arrived at St. Luke Hospital. He was born very very
sick and at that time he was taken to neonatal ICU. We found out what his diagnosis was and his illness was
non-curable unless a transplant was performed. Part of his treatment was to maintain him with a non protein
diet until his transplant came in. But still he was like a little time bomb that would explode at any time if he did
not receive his liver transplant. On November of 1992 he was only 15 months when he received his liver transplant
on Thanksgiving Day. We went through a lot of treatments until a year later; the doctors said that his transplant
had taken. Because of his transplant and his medication that he was on, he had to live a life with precautions so
we came to understand that it really wasn't a cure. We had complications along the way that put his liver in
danger by the medicine that they used. His kidneys went out and then we were again back to square one. Our
lives went back to the hospital because now he needed not only another liver but also a kidney transplant. The
doctor said that unless we had both he would not perform the transplant. It was a lot a pain and suffering not just
for him but the family as well. Through lots of love and prayer it was finally answered. In September of 2000 we
received our second transplant which was a blessing. We lived a normal life with lots of love and family times.
He also taught us that the family that prays together stays together and that through God miracles really do
happened. In between the time of his last transplant he lived the life that was meant for him in God's grace and
was able to fulfill some of his dreams. He touched a lot of lives and made his imprint in them. From September
2011 until January 2012 he became ill again and went into the hospital. We thought it was our transplant but come
to find out we were battling cancer. He put up a fight but God said it was time for him to come home. He gave his
farewells to all those that loved him knowing he was going to leave broken hearts. Now he is free and sits in heaven
alongside with family members and all of Gods angels. Till the day our hearts reunite again and become that family
we were meant to be.

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John Robert Smithwick, age 20, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 in Houston, Texas.Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at St. Louis Catholic Church with Father John Guzaldo officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, Feb. 5, from 4-6 PM at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors with a Rosary to be recited at 5 p.m. John was born on September 6, 1991 to Danny and Maria Lourdes Garcia Smithwick in Houston, Texas. He was a resident of Waco and graduated from A.J. Moore Academy in 2011. John was preceded in death by his brother, Albert Ramon Smithwick; grandfather, Ramon Garcia. John leaves behind to cherish his memories are his parents, Danny and Maria Lourdes Smithwick; brother, James Smithwick; grandparents, Guadalupe Garcia, Albert Smithwick and wife, Celia;uncles, John Garcia and wife, Irene, John Smithwick and wife, Cecilia; aunts Grace Zarraga and husband, Baltazar, Rosie Garcia, Marissa Soliz and husband, Robert, Isabel Smithwick, Rose Dominguez and husband, Ruben, Alice Smithwick and Linda Smithwick. In lieu of flowers memorial can be made to the Cancer Society or in honor of John consider becoming an organ donor. Condolences may be offered at connally-compton.com