George D. Smith

He was born in Des Moines, Iowa on September 5, 1932 to John D. and Corolla Smith, Greek immigrants. George attended Des Moines Technical High School where he excelled in varsity football, basketball, track, and Drake University where in his senior year he served as quarterback and team co-captain. He was married to Susan Reade Smith in 1966.

George served as a corporal in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, stationed with the 40th Tank Battalion at Freidburg, Germany. While in the service he played football for the 4th Infantry Special Troops and also spent time in France, Italy, Greece and Switzerland.

He settled in Phoenix in 1955 where he began a long and successful career in the banking and insurance industries. He was an Assistant Vice President of Valley National Bank in its heyday and eventually served as Chief Executive Officer of Western Security Life Insurance, a VNB subsidiary.

He retired in 1986 but continued to devote much time to his real estate holdings, a second career and favorite pastime. He also fostered his interest in genealogy and took great pleasure in having long conversations with his siblings about their Greek heritage and relatives’ migration to the United States.

George is survived by his wife Susan; daughters Robyn Lutey Hill of Tonto Basin, Janna Lutey Gooch, Heather Smith, and sons J. David Smith and James Smith of Phoenix; sisters Ellen Pichelmeyer of Phoenix, Mary J. Haggard of Mesa, and brother John D. Smith of Stillwater, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by parents John D. and Corolla Smith, and brother James D. “Jim” Smith of Whitmore Lake, Michigan.

A private service will be held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley or the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.