The Reverend Buckie Duane Smithen

01/24/1941 - 09/21/2026

Pastor * Church Planter * Missionary Builder of Faith

The Rev. Buckie Duane Smithen, 85, entered the presence of his Lord in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 21, 2026, after a lifetime of faithful ministry, church planting, and service to others. Born January 24, 1941, in Delano, California, Buckie devoted his life to building churches, strengthening congregations, and caring for people wherever he and his wife, Johnnie Beth, were called.

Buckie was the son of T.J. and Etta Lee Smithen. He proudly served his country for four years in the U.S. Navy and eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve. On August 24, 1963, he married Johnnie Elizabeth Schlinke of Kingsville, Texas, known to family and friends as Johnnie Beth. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on August 24, 2026. When their 50th anniversary approached, they started celebrating a year early and continued throughout the anniversary year, a fitting reflection of the joy they found in their life together. Their marriage and ministry carried them across Texas, California, Washington, Montana, and Alaska, with their shared faith at the center of it all.

His pastoral ministry began at Ricardo Baptist Church in Ricardo, Texas, where he served from 1963 to 1968. From 1968 to 1970, while attending Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, he served Big Oak Flat Baptist Church in Big Oak Flat, California. He then served First Baptist Church in Ione, Washington, from 1970 to 1973, followed by ten years at Floral Park Baptist Church in Butte, Montana, from 1973 to 1983.

In 1983, Buckie founded the Vigilante Area Baptist Ministry. Through that work, he helped plant churches in Ennis, Sheridan, Virginia City, and Nevada City, Montana. He retired from full-time ministry in 1995, but retirement changed the setting of his service rather than ending it.

Beginning in 1998, Buckie and Johnnie Beth spent 24 summers doing mission work in Alaska. They helped with Vacation Bible Schools at churches across Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, and Big Lake; served alongside the Salmon Frenzy outreach to fishermen at the mouth of the Kenai River; and ministered with First Baptist Church of Kenai. Beginning in 2019, they served for six summers as "Camp Grandpa and Grandma" at Solid Rock Bible Camp in Soldotna. Hundreds of campers, counselors, and work crews knew Buckie as a listening ear, a warm hug, and an encourager.

During the winter months, Buckie and Johnnie Beth returned to Baton Rouge, where they were faithful members of Broadmoor Baptist Church. Buckie's favorite ministry was one-on-one. He never met a stranger.

Buckie was a pastor, church planter, missionary, and builder of faith. He measured his work not by recognition, but by the people served, congregations strengthened, churches begun, and lives entrusted to God's care.

He is survived by his wife, Johnnie Beth; their five children and spouses, Kim and Paul Henderson of Louisville, Kentucky, Tim and Wendy Smithen of Juneau, Alaska, Chris and Tricia Smithen of Lexington, Kentucky, David and Laura Smithen of Dallas, Texas, and Michael and Danielle Smithen of Salt Lake City, Utah; and their 13 grandchildren and spouses, Mary and Andy Esparza, TJ and Miriam Smithen, Alyssa and Alex Henderson Arias, Kevin and Grace Smithen, Joshua Smithen, Layne Smithen, Ashtyn Henderson, Joseph Smithen, Alanna Smithen, Cameron Smithen, Avery Smithen, Harrison Smithen, and Bennett Smithen.

He is also survived by six great-grandchildren; his brother, Lynn Smithen; and a host of friends and adopted family from Montana to Alaska to Louisiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents, T.J. and Etta Lee Smithen, and his brothers, Jimmie Smithen and Richard Smithen.

His life reflected the words of 1 Corinthians 3:6: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." Those who knew and loved him also hear in his life the promise of Matthew 25:23: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

A memorial service will be held November 14, 2026, at Highland Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. The service will begin at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Camper Scholarship Fund at Solid Rock Bible Camp in Soldotna, Alaska. Donate online: https://www.solidrockbiblecamp.com/donate

Memorial gifts may also be made to the Highland Baptist Church Music Ministry. Donate online:
https://hbclouisville.org/giving-1/