Graveside services for Jesse Ray Smith will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2013 in the Killeen City Cemetery.
Mr. Smith passed away at his home on Sunday, May 5, 2013 in Harker Heights, TX where he has lived since 1971. Jesse R. Smith was born on January 30, 1926 in Coleman County, Texas to Jefferson L. and Myrtle Carlton Smith.
He arrived to the area in the early 1950 to a Civil Service job on Camp Hood, where he met and married Alice M. Bennett.
He was preceded in death by his spouse Alice, his parents, one sister and four brothers.
Jesse served with the 10th MTN Div 85th Reg. I Co. 3rd BTN in Italy. He also served time in H&H Co. 26th Inf. Blue Spaders Reg. in Bamberg, Germany. 1949-1952 Plt. SGT Anti-Tank and Mine P/T Big Red one Div.
He was awarded the following during his service, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Metal, American Campaign Medal, The European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with two Bronze Stars. The WWII Victory Medal, the Army Occupation Medal –Italy and Germany Combat Infantry Badge.
He was a life member o f the VFW 3892 in Harker Heights. Jesse learned Watch and Jewelry repair early after he got out of the Army. He worked for a short while at a Jewelry and Pawn business in downtown Killeen. Which then led him to 35 years as Pawnbroker until he retired at age 62.
Survived by one brother, JL Smith and his wife Margie Smith, his five children; Cheryl L. her husband Duane Fritch of Morgan’s Point, Brenda Kingsley of Harker Heights, Terry and Wife Rosemary Smith of Belton, Ricky Smith of Harker Heights and Demcie and her husband Sidney Smith of Bryan Tx. 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, you can make donations to Scott and White Hospice or Charity of choice.
Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home of Killeen entrusted to arrangements.
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