Byron "Bikey" K Smith

Byron K Smith, age 71, of Bloomington died Sunday May 29. He was the son of Cleo Knighten Smith and Iris Anderson Smith Neal. Byron, a lifelong Bloomington native, was born February 21, 1945. Until his early twenties, Byron was known by the nickname, “Bikey”, which was bestowed upon him by a family friend. Byron attended Elm Heights Elementary School, the Indiana School for the Blind, Rogers Elementary School, University Junior High and High Schools. He earned a BA from Indiana University where he majored in Radio and Television. He also was active with WIUS, the student- run campus radio station. Byron enjoyed reading, playing word games and petting Misty, his gray tabby cat. He liked sports in general but he listened faithfully to the radio broadcasts of I.U. men’s basketball and Indianapolis Colts games. Byron worked at I.U. from 1968 to 2006 as a writer, radio reporter, tape editor, program producer and host. He hosted “Forum!” a weekly, half-hour interview program. He also created and produced “HealthScan”, a health and fitness series and “JobTraks”, a weekly program on high school stations about careers and professions. Byron is survived by his wife, Patsy A. (Jerdon) Smith, of Bloomington, three step-children; Rebecca (husband, Rocky) Armey, of New Haven, IN, Lynelle (fiancé, Orlando Velez), Ward of Knoxville, TN and Thomas (wife, Diana) Hawkins, of Ft. Wayne, IN, one adopted son, Justin (wife, Melissa) Ford, of Kewanee, IL and seven grandchildren. It was important to Byron that his total blindness be only a minor issue for his family and friends. Byron worked to make his hometown accessible to all. He was a founding member of the Council for Community Accessibility. After his retirement he volunteered for Volunteers in Medicine and SouthernCare Hospice. He was a member, deacon and elder of First Presbyterian Church where his service will be held on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Andrew Kort officiating. Entombment will follow in Valhalla Mausoleum where a reception will immediately follow at the church. The visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home; 4150 E. Third St. In lieu of flowers the family requests charitable contributions be made to the Indiana School for the Blind, the First Presbyterian Church or to the National Braille Press, 88 St. Stephen St; Boston, MA 02115 Online condolences may be given at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com