David Leroy Smith Jr.

David L. Smith, Jr. passed away peacefully on October 8, 2016. He was born in Tyler, Texas in 1933 to David L. Smith, Sr. and Annie Smith. He was later raised in the Lake Como community in Fort Worth. He graduated Salutatorian of I. M. Terrell High School in 1951 and received his B.S. degree in chemistry from Tuskegee University. While a student at Tuskegee, he was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Student Council, and was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

While at Tuskegee, he met his wife of sixty-two years, Cathryn. David was commissioned in the United States Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program in May 1955. He started his career as a navigator and ended his career after twenty-eight years as an Electronic Warfare Officer flying on the B-52D bomber. He obtained a Master’s degree in Sociology from Grambling State University while serving as the Professor of Aerospace Science for Detachment 311 and attended numerous other military and civilian schools including Air War College and Advanced Survivor School. He served his country in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He participated in every major campaign that involved the Strategic Air Command including the TET offensive and Linebacker I and II. His crew was the first bomber over Hanoi on December 20, 1972, when a record number of B-52’s were lost. He flew over 400 combat missions.

Col. Smith received numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Combat Readiness medal, National Defense Service medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Small Arm Expert Marksmanship medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

David was a sports enthusiast and an avid handball player. In Roswell, New Mexico, he coached the boxing team to the State Golden Gloves championship and was an active boxing referee and judge. He was a boxing referee for the United States Olympic team and was a judge during Mike Tyson’s Olympic trial bout. He was a Dallas Cowboy devotee.

He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He cherished and loved his family, friends, country and dogs. Wherever he was, there was fun and laughter. He loved dancing and listening to music. David lost his final, courageous battle but not without a valiant fight.

Special thanks to Marionette Crosby, Melanie Myhand, Debbie Florida, Diane Solomon, Shining Star Home Health, Dr. M. Redrow, Dr. J. Staniland, Dr. V. Mehrotra, Dr. J. Marcella, Dr. T. Rajan, staff of Harris Hospital, Harris Southwest, Kindred Hospital, and Trail Lake Nursing and Rehab for all the special care that was given to our loved one.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carla Rhea Smith, brother, Charles Moffett, Sr., and parents.

David leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Cathryn; children, Mechall Patterson, Debbie Willis-Smith, David Smith III (Maria), Ann Smith and Jon Smith (Sharmaine); grandchildren, Gary, Gabrielle, Brian, Elma, Phillip, Cathryn, Vanessa, Alexis, Davina and Allyn; great granddaughter, Analicia, and beloved pet, Boston Rhea; sisters, Lovie Whitaker, Roxie Thompson, and Jenniene Williams, and friends, too numerous to name.