We are proud to serve our communities. Our compassionate and dedicated team at Charles W. Smith & Sons and Eastgate Funeral Homes strive to meet each families needs. We are here to help you with Pre-Planning or care for a loved one who has passed. Please call our nearest location and let us care for your needs.
Charles W. Smith Owner and Funeral Director/Embalmer
Charles W. Smith is a devoted and experienced funeral home owner and director. His passion for excellence started in 1963 while working with his father-in-law, Bill Spurlock.
He currently owns five funeral homes in the DFW Metroplex area. His industry leadership abilities were used with his involvement in the aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing of the Alfred P. Murray building.
Charles and his father Floyd Smith opened Pet Rest Memorial Park and Crematory in December 1977 in Sachse, Texas. For many years, it was the only pet cemetery in Dallas County with over 22,000 pets interned.
Bill Kirk came to Texas from Kansas City, Missouri. He is married for 47 years with two sons and five grandchildren.
A 1973 graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, he has corporate leadership experience with a Fortune 300 company at the senior VP level.
Bill's favorite word is Telesis, which is the progress intelligently planned.
Don Oglesby is a 1968 graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science.
With 50 years of funeral service experience, he has been with Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Homes for 13 years.
Jim is from Garland Texas and a father of three sons. He is an United States Air Force Veteran who proudly served for four years.
Jim is a licensed Baptist Minister with a Master of Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
He teaches Sunday School at the Lake Pointe Community Church in Rockwell Texas.
One of his favorite bible verse is Romans 8:28
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”.
Sydnee Martinez has come to Dallas from Clint Texas.
A 2017 Dallas Institute of Funeral Service graduate, she is also a Texas Sea Burial Certified Director.
Sydnee is starting her career with Charles W. Smith & Sons and Eastgate Funeral Homes.
Her favorite quote is:
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love” - Mother Teresa
With a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an Associate Degree of Applied Science in funeral service, Ray is a police officer with the Dallas Police Department.
Favorite Quote: I take pride in being a funeral director and embalmer and consider it an honor to take care of our families.
Larry is a native of Garland Texas.
He is a 10 year employee of the Charles W. Smith & Sons and Eastgate Funeral Homes.
Larry is on the Visitation Team for all locations.
Bruce is a full time high school history teacher.
He has been married for 15 years and a father of a teenaged daughter.
Steve is a 5 year employee of the Charles W. Smith and Eastgate Funeral Homes.
Andrew M. Ortiz is a native of Odessa, Texas.
A 1999 graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, he is a member of the St. Jude Catholic Church in Allen, Texas.
Se abla Espanol. Aqui para servir a las familias Hispanas.
Andrew is in our family to serve all families of all denominations, with an extensive background in Buddhist Services.
Mike Felix is a Fort Worth, Texas native, married for 36 years with two daughters, one son and one granddaughter.
He is a 2016 graduate of the Amarillo College of Mortuary Science.
Mike is the current Mayor of Sachse, Texas, serving in his fifth term.
His first election to the Sachse Mayorship was in May 2004. He served as a Sachse Councilman from 1992-2003.
His favorite word is Ministry.
Joe is a native of Jacksonville, located in Cherokee County in East Texas.
He is single with one daughter and one grandchild.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Abilene Christian University.
He is a United States Navy Veteran.
Max is a Sherman, Texas native who has be married for 39 years to his wife Linda.
He has lived in the Dallas area since 1973.
Max is a Veteran of the United States Army.
Bill is a Garland, Texas native who has been married for 28 years to his wife Kelly. They have one son and three grandchildren.
He is in his eleventh year as a Sachse City Councilman and a fifteen-year resident.
His favorite quote:
"Always do the right thing, even when no one is watching."
Cheyenne Oelkers is a New Mexico native who came to Dallas from Amarillo, Texas.
A 2015 graduate of the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, she brings experience from the hospitality industry.
One of her favorite verses:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Steve is married with 2 grandchildren and 3 Maltase rescue puppies.
He is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in Pittsburgh PA.
Steve served with the United States Air Force Medical Service for 23 years.
Bill is a compassionate Dallas native who has worked the past 5 years with Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Homes.
He is a family man and retiree of the United States Air Force.
His administrative and military background aids in his attention to detail when serving our families with compassion.
Brian Gardner has come to the Dallas area from Lone Grove, Oklahoma.
He has been married for 17 years. He is raising and chasing one daughter and one son around the ball fields.
With a Masters degree in Christian Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Brian is a local Christian singer and speaker.
One of his favorite bible verses is Psalm 3:3-4
"But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill."
Cheyenne Oelkers is a New Mexico native who came to Dallas from Amarillo, Texas.
A 2015 graduate of the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, she brings experience from the hospitality industry.
One of her favorite verses:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
David Speegle lives with his wife in Anna Texas.
He has a Bachelor of Music and a Masters of Church Music degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth Texas.
He has retired after 40 years as a Minister of Music in various Texas Baptist churches.
David enjoys working with the caring staff of Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home.
He looks forward to the love and care we provide for the families we serve.
One of his favorite bible verses is Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted."
Ken is from Irving Texas. He is a father and grandfather with two daughters and four grandchildren.
He is a 1984 graduate of the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service.
Ken started his Funeral Service career during his senior year of high school.
Having a strong commitment to the industry, his work ranges from training provisional embalmers to doing routine maintenance on all of our locations.
His favorite quote:
"When we learn from our mistakes, it will lead us toward Success. When we continue to make the same mistakes, it will lead us straight to Failure."
Megan Murphy is an Austin Texas Native.
A 2017 Dallas Institute of Funeral Service graduate, she is a Texas Sea Burial Certified Director.
She is a 2012 Texas State University - San Marcos graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies specializing in Interpersonal Communication.
Her favorite quote is:
“I like flaws and feel more comfortable around people who have them. I myself am made of entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.” - Augusten Burroughs
Marlon Saucedo came to Dallas from Guatemala City, Guatemala.
A 2017 graduate of Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, he is also a Texas Sea Burial Certified Director.
Marlon is a bilingual United States Army Veteran.
His favorite quote:
"Fight with a happy heart and strong spirit” - General Mattis
Val Esquivel is a small-town girl from Carrizo Springs, Texas.
She is a 2017 Dallas Institute of Funeral Service graduate.
Val finds a true purpose in providing the most meaningful services for those who have lost a loved one.
Misty Hill comes from a large family in Dallas Texas, with six sisters and two brothers.
She is Cremation Certified and a Medical Assistant.
One of her favorite quotes is:
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory” - Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss
Shobhit is the youngest of a set of twins.
A graduate of North Garland High School, he plans to attend the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service.
Shobhit is a member of the United Christian Church of Garland.
He is a drummer with the church in musical activities, as well as private gigs.
One of his favorite quotes is:
"A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are for what you have.” - Anonymous
Thalia is a Certified Crematory Operator who came to Dallas from Santa Maria CA. She enjoys family time with her children and dogs.
Favorite quote: “trying to be better than yesterday.”