The Rev. Charles R. Smith; Seminary Dean

The Rev. Charles R. Smith, an evangelical minister who served as dean of The Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley, has died in Mission Hills. He was 55.

A resident of Valencia, Smith died Wednesday of cancer, said his brother Gerald Smith.

Born in Ft. Worth, Smith grew up in Tennessee, the son of a minister. He earned a doctorate in theology from the Dallas Theological Seminary in 1960 and taught at Miami Christian College and the Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind., before moving to Valencia in 1986.

Smith served as vice president and dean of The Master’s Seminary, a bible training school in Sun Valley affiliated with Grace Community Church of the Valley. He worked at the seminary from 1986 until his poor health forced him to retire three months ago. During his career, he traveled throughout the country lecturing and leading conferences.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Ellie Smith; sons, Stephen Smith of Wichita, Kan., and Dr. Douglas Smith of Tucson; mother, Louise Smith of Ringgold, La.; brothers, Gerald Smith of Duluth, Ga., and James L. Smith of Shreveport, La.; sisters, Nelda Prause of Aquilla, Tex., Laurette Spiers of Virginia Beach, Va., and Patricia Hague of Murphy, N.C.; and five grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled for today from 1 to 9 p.m. at Eternal Valley Mortuary, 23287 N. Sierra Highway in Newhall, which is handling the arrangements. A memorial service is planned for 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Grace Community Church of the Valley, 13248 Roscoe Blvd. in Sun Valley. Donations can be made to the Charles Smith Family Fund in care of George Zemek at The Master’s Seminary.