Anthony Smith Jr.

Born November 11 1947 to Anthony Smith Sr. and Petra Sanchez Smith in Colton, California. He passed away suddenly on January 31 2014 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, California as a result of a heart attack. He graduated from Colton High School in 1966, and subsequently volunteered for military service as an airman in the United States Air Force (USAF). After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) San Antonio, Texas, he initiated his first duty assignment as a security policeman with the 5010th Security Police Squadron (SPS) at Eielson AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1968 he requested transfer to Vietnam, and was subsequently reassigned to the 377th SPS at Tan Son Nhut AFB, Saigon, South Vietnam. He served in this position from 1968 to 1972. He returned to the United States and was honorably discharged from active duty at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada in late 1972. From 1972 to 1981 he was employed as a correction officer at the California Institution for Men, Chino, CA. In 1981 he entered the Los Angeles Police Academy and then served with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) from 1981 to 1991. During his tenure with the LAPD he was assigned at various times to the 77th Street, Newton, Pacific, and Rampart Divisions. In 1991 he retired from the LAPD and became an entrepreneur in the Los Angeles area. From 1991 to 2014 he served as a trusted business partner and loyal friend until his untimely death.

He enjoyed exercising, reading, hiking, drawing, and the companionship of friends and family. He was adventurous, garrulous, and curious about the world around him. In his lifetime he brought pride to the Smith family first as a star football player while enrolled at Colton High School, and then as a member of the USAF and LAPD. He was considered by his family members as being a stern but fair man. He grew emotionally aloof and physically distant from his family throughout the years. Furthermore, he exuded a complex and complicated demeanor towards loved ones. However, for the ones who truly loved him we do not judge nor hold anger towards him because we understand that he was not a perfect man. We loved him for who he was and forgive him for his mistakes and for the pain that he may have caused to his loved ones. The Smith family will always love and remember him as an honorable and loyal man who departed this world too soon. We ask the good Lord to bless his soul and to forgive him for his sins. May his soul rest in peace for eternity.

Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at Montecito Valley View Chapel, 3520 E. Washington St., Colton, California 92324.