Arthur Harris Smith Jr.

Arthur Harris Smith, Jr., of Hamilton, Ohio, died on Thursday, July 21, 2011, at Hospice of Hamilton. He was born in Los Angeles, California, on May 1, 1923, the son of the late Margaret Marie (Reed) and Arthur Harris Smith Sr. Art graduated from John Marshall High School in Los Angeles. He married Ruth Replogle in Los Angeles, and she preceded him in death. While pursuing a lengthy and distinguished career in aviation he accumulated 3,914 hours of special classroom training in aviation maintenance, engineering, marketing and personal development. He was considered a pioneer in aviation maintenance and marketing by his peers. Arthur served in the US Coast Guard during WWII in the South Pacific Theatre from December 1941 to June 1946 as a Gunner’s Mate 2/C. He participated in direct combat and received numerous citations and awards. He was a member of the Navy Submarine Reserve from 1946 to 1952. Art’s career in aviation spanned nearly 50 years and took him to more than 35 foreign countries. He worked for Boeing International, North American Rockwell and Aeronca of Middletown, Ohio, from which he retired in 1993. As a pilot, Art received his private pilot certification in 1946 and continued to enjoy flying for many years. On September 17, 1986, in Hamilton, Art married Doris Elaine Bowling and she preceded him in death on September 4, 2006. Art is survived by his daughter, Tami Michelle (Robert) Felten of Santa Cruz, California. Tami is a talented professional musician, singer/songwriter and Art was very proud of her. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Harry (Patti) Bowling of Hamilton; sisters-in-law, Wilma L. Venerable of Hamilton, Rita (Ray) Trunck of Columbus, Patricia (Charles) Johnson of Citrus Springs, Florida and Mary (Neil) Gabbard of Hamilton; and a host of loving nieces and nephews. Art was also preceded in death by his twin sister, Margaret Miller; brothers, R. Gerald Smith and Charles T. Smith; and brother-in-law, Harold H. Venerable. The family offers special thanks to Hospice of Hamilton. A Memorial Service “A Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Hamilton, 1010 Eaton Avenue, Hamilton, OH 45013.