1920
George
2014
George Smith
March 26, 1920 — December 11, 2014
George D. Smith, 94, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2014, at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center.
He was born March 26, 1920, in Scammon, KS, to William Corda Smith and Margaret H. Smith. George graduated from Columbus Community High School before attending Kansas State College of Pittsburg. It was during his 3rd year that he enrolled in the Civil Pilot Training Program (CPT) which began his interest in aviation. In April 1942, George started as a trainee in the new Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center at Municipal Airport. After securing this position, he married Mary E. Jacobs at the Osawatomie Christian Church on January 1, 1943.
In September 1943, George was drafted into the Army then requested a transfer to the Air Force. He was discharged in June 1946 as a 1st Lieutenant. He returned to the CAA in July 1946.
George worked for the CAA/FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) for 34 years until he retired July 1, 1975, as the Assistant Air Traffic Division Chief, Chicago. After his retirement, he and Mary returned to Overland Park where they lived until moving to Sun City West, AZ in August 1984. They returned to Olathe, KS in February 2007 and resided at Cedar Lake Village Independent Living, Olathe, KS. They are members of First Christian Church in Olathe.
Dad loved to travel, square dance, swim every day (he received the Red Cross “100 mile a Year” patch), play golf (had a hole in one), play pool, flew to Washington, DC for “The Honor Flight Program” in 2008. They were very active at Cedar Lake.
George was preceded in death by sisters, Marianne Cooley and Bonnie Robison, of Columbus, KS.
He leaves behind his wife of almost 72 years, Mary; daughters, Marilyn Smith, of North Kansas City, MO, Lynda, of Littleton CO; and son, Rusty (Martha) Smith, of Leawood, KS.
Our Dad was a gentle man who worked hard, loved his family and was always there to lend a helping hand.
A special thanks to the Olathe Medical Center Hospice and the staff at Good Samaritan Nursing Center. He could not have received more loving care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedar Lake Village Memorial Care Assisted Living, 15325 S. Lone Elm Rd., Olathe, KS 66061 or a charity of your choice.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2014, at the Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS. Entombment will follow at the Johnson County Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends an hour prior the service.
He was born March 26, 1920, in Scammon, KS, to William Corda Smith and Margaret H. Smith. George graduated from Columbus Community High School before attending Kansas State College of Pittsburg. It was during his 3rd year that he enrolled in the Civil Pilot Training Program (CPT) which began his interest in aviation. In April 1942, George started as a trainee in the new Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center at Municipal Airport. After securing this position, he married Mary E. Jacobs at the Osawatomie Christian Church on January 1, 1943.
In September 1943, George was drafted into the Army then requested a transfer to the Air Force. He was discharged in June 1946 as a 1st Lieutenant. He returned to the CAA in July 1946.
George worked for the CAA/FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) for 34 years until he retired July 1, 1975, as the Assistant Air Traffic Division Chief, Chicago. After his retirement, he and Mary returned to Overland Park where they lived until moving to Sun City West, AZ in August 1984. They returned to Olathe, KS in February 2007 and resided at Cedar Lake Village Independent Living, Olathe, KS. They are members of First Christian Church in Olathe.
Dad loved to travel, square dance, swim every day (he received the Red Cross “100 mile a Year” patch), play golf (had a hole in one), play pool, flew to Washington, DC for “The Honor Flight Program” in 2008. They were very active at Cedar Lake.
George was preceded in death by sisters, Marianne Cooley and Bonnie Robison, of Columbus, KS.
He leaves behind his wife of almost 72 years, Mary; daughters, Marilyn Smith, of North Kansas City, MO, Lynda, of Littleton CO; and son, Rusty (Martha) Smith, of Leawood, KS.
Our Dad was a gentle man who worked hard, loved his family and was always there to lend a helping hand.
A special thanks to the Olathe Medical Center Hospice and the staff at Good Samaritan Nursing Center. He could not have received more loving care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedar Lake Village Memorial Care Assisted Living, 15325 S. Lone Elm Rd., Olathe, KS 66061 or a charity of your choice.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2014, at the Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS. Entombment will follow at the Johnson County Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends an hour prior the service.
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