Lex Magowan Smith
Luray, Virginia
Lex Magowan Smith 85 of Luray passed away on Thursday February 12 2026 at Whispering Pines Assisted Living. He was born on October 1 1940 in Alexandria VA and was a son of the late Alexis Smith and Patricia Karig Ruffner. Lex enjoyed wood carving. He loved horses and grew up taking care of his mothers horses at her riding school Pattys Riding Stables in Burke VA. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed hiking and Native American history. He even lived on the Mattaponi Indian Reservation near Richmond VA with Chief Custilo for several years. Lex was selfeducated in advanced math. This knowledge allowed him to work as a surveyor for the Smith Mountain Lake Project. He worked locally as a brick masons laborer. Lex also enjoyed vacationing in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. In the mid1970s he moved to Luray and that became his home. He lived…