Orval James Smith, 103, passed away on Friday April 24, 2015. He was born on June 23, 1911 in Tama, Iowa, and raised in Upton, Wyoming. He taught school in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Wyoming in the 1930s. During WWII he met and married his wife Lucy Dawson Smith, before departing for service in the Army, stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines. After the war he received a Masters degree in education from George Washington University. Orval moved his family to Arlington, Virginia and was a devoted husband and loving father. He served in the Army Reserve for 20 years and worked as a Budget Analyst for the Air Force for 41 years. Orval thoroughly enjoyed numerous vacations, car trips and cruises with his family in the U.S. and abroad. He served in several Masonic organizations and civic organizations and was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Arlington for more than 50 years. his consistency and dependability inspired those around him to persevere, stay focused, help others, and to always be positive.
Orval was preceded in death by, Lucy, his wife of 49 years. He is survived by three daughters, Elaine M. Smith, Shirley S. Robinson, and Patricia S. Walker, and four grandchildren, Kimberly Robinson, Meredith Robinson, Karen Walker, and Steven Walker. Visitation and viewing will be held 12 Noon to 2 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home, in Arlington VA. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.
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