Paul G. Smith

In the early hours of Christmas morning, Paul Gean Smith received his most glorious commendation when he flew into the healing arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on August 16, 1931, in Osage City, Kansas to parents Paul Fredrick Smith & Letitia Middleton Smith, Paul journeyed this earth as a humble American hero, loving husband, adventurous father, doting grandpa, and lifelong friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

While his childhood began on the quiet Kansas prairie, his family relocated to the bustling city of angels - Los Angeles, California in 1937. In his formative years, Paul became an accomplished guitarist, enjoyed camping & hiking throughout the San Gabriel Mountains and relished grand adventures & mayhem with his dearest childhood friends. He graduated from Polytechnic High School and soon after, joined the United States Marine Corps where he was trained as an infantryman and combat medic. Paul's outstanding service on the front lines during the Korean War earned him several commendations and medals, most notably a Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart.

In 1951, Paul transferred his military service to the United States Army. While training at Ft Sam Houston, he met the love of his life, Miss Angeline Gaydos. After a brief 2-week courtship, the sweethearts married, and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this next January. Their young family quickly grew with the welcome additions of Cecil Paul in 1952, and a year and a half later, Donald Eugene.

Paul's military career spanned 22 years, and included numerous postings, promotions and achievements. Accepted to a new Army Cargo Helicopter Pilot course in 1954, Paul was one of the inaugural graduates at then “Camp” Rucker, Alabama. After graduating, he flew Infantry support missions for the first H-19 helicopter squadron in Munich, Germany. Upon returning stateside, Paul received further qualification to fly fixed wing aircraft and the family was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, where Paul made great memories with his sons catching salmon, hunting bears & surviving the Great Earthquake of 1964.

Paul served two combat tours in Vietnam where he flew several key aircraft including the CH-54, UH-1 Huey & Cobra. His missions included everything from troop insertion/extraction, medi-vac, and Special Forces ATeam/LRP support. In 1966, Paul served as the personal helicopter pilot for Lieutenant General J. O. Seaman. His valiant service in Vietnam earned him a Bronze Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses with Oak Leaf Cluster, Valorious Unit Award,Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (2d), The Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal.

After more than 22 years of honorable service to his country, Paul retired from active duty in 1971 to San Antonio, Texas. The following year, he and Angeline celebrated the birth of their daughter, Letitia Ann. Paul spent his first years of military retirement in private business and pursued a Master's Degree from Southwest Texas State University. He thoroughly loved his work teaching students as a business & criminal law instructor at Alamo Heights High School

from 1979 to 1995.

At the young age of 60, Paul retired from teaching and completed training to become a certified Peace Officer. Graduating at the top of his class, Paul served with the Alamo Heights Police Department for a short time.

When he finally decided to retire from public service, Paul purchased a small farm in South Texas and spent the last few decades raising longhorns, laughing at his donkeys and spoiling his many grandchildren. Paul loved to laugh, fought for truth, and taught his family the priceless values of God, family & country.

He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, Paul Fredrick Smith and Letitia Middleton Smith, and his precious sister, Anna Smith Hawkins.

Paul is survived by his loving wife, Angeline Smith; sons, Dr. C. Paul Smith and wife, Anne; Don E. Smith and wife, Bobbi; and daughter Letitia ‘Tish’ Ream and husband, Robert; his ten grandchildren, Lani, Jim, Douglas, David, Stephen, Jamie, Audrey, Madeleine, Brandte, and Nicholas; his seventeen great grandchildren; his brother, Donald Smith and wife, Mary; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Paul's life will be held at 12 noon, Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at MacArthur Park Church of Christ, 1907 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78217. Interment will follow at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Condolences may be offered at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com .

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Arms of Hope at www.armsofhope.org .