COL. (RET.) JAMES EDWARD "RED" SMITH
Sept. 22, 1923-Jan. 25, 2015
Col. (Ret.) James E. "Red" Smith, 91, of Princeton, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015.
He was born Sept. 22, 1923 in Boaz, Ala., and was the son of the late Walter Gay Smith and Christia Amanda Smith.
He was preceeded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Norma Faulkner Smith.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Dolly O'Hare and Jewel Tassie.
Col. Smith served his country as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.
Col. Smith's military career included serving in WWII, Berlin Air Lift, Cold War, Vietnam and serving five years on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Col. Smith was awarded many decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Joint Service Commendation Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Longevity Medal, Japan Occupation Medal and the Joint Chiefs Medal.
Col. Smith was a member of the Order of Daedalians, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Retired Officers Association, First Flight Society of N.C. and the Air Force Association.
He served in many capacities of each of these organizations.
He was a member of the Princeton Lion's Club.
After retiring from the military, Col. Smith taught business management for several years at community colleges.
He served as city manager for the town of Selma and was the Princeton Town Manager for several years.
He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church of Wilson.
He was admired by many and much loved by his family.
Funeral services with military honors will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Casey Funeral Home Chapel, with his son Barry Smith and pastor Mike Renfrow officiating.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 p.m. Saturday.
Interment will follow at a later date in the Arlington National Cemetery.
He is survived by three sons; Bradley Smith and wife, Mary, Barry Smith and Bryan Smith and wife, Lori; three daughters, Beverly Martin and husband, Grant, Barbara Fogle and husband, Kaiser, and Betty Joan Smith; sisters; Frances Bracewell, Betty Ramsdale and husband, Chuck, and Rebecca Uzabel and husband, Joe; a nephew, Johnny Clanton and wife, Hazel; grandchildren, Lesley Eaves, Greg Martin, Kristin Fogle, Kimberly Ward, Jennings Smith, B.J. Smith and Sam Smith; great-grandchildren, Dalene Eaves, Austin Eaves, Micaiah James Ward.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the First Flight Society, American Cancer Society or the Princeton Lion's Club.
Online Condolences may be sent to the family at www.caseyfh.com
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on January 29, 2015 1:46 PM