Ronald Thurston Smith

Ronald Thurston Smith, Lieutenant Colonel, US Air Force, Retired died on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at Brethren Village Continuing Care Community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, after a long illness. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 o’clock on Saturday, August 17th, at May and Smith Funeral Home followed by military honors by the Robbins Air Force Base Honor Guard. Reverend Jimmy Harris, Reverend Charles Kyser and Reverend Charles Osborne will officiate. The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home from 10:00 o’clock until the hour of service.

He was a Washington County native, born at his Grandparent’s home in the Longtown community near Harrison, on August 15, 1931. He graduated from Harrison High School and enlisted in the Air Force in 1948. He served on Guam during the Korean War with the 19th Communications Squadron of the 19th Bombardment Wing. He was commissioned through the Aviation Cadet program in 1954 as an Electronic Warfare Officer and served mainly in aircrew and staff positions in airborne early warning, reconnaissance and intelligence. In the Vietnam War he served in the 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, flying in EB-66 aircraft in reconnaissance and jamming operations, and as head of the Wing’s electronic intelligence processing section. He was assigned as an Air Staff Officer at The Pentagon, and completed his service in the 9th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron in support of the SR-71 Blackbird. Among the medals awarded to him are the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Air Medals, the Bronze Star and the Joint Services Commendation.

While in the Air Force, he graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in Engineering Mathematics, and from Chapman University with a MA in Education. Following his retirement, he earned an MA in Philosophy at the University of California at Davis. He and his wife moved to Houston, Texas in 1977 where he was employed in manufacturing quality assurance, teaching and computer programming. In 1992, they returned to Washington County to be near his parents in their old age, and spent the next twenty years planting pecan trees, growing blueberries, and being involved in family and volunteer activities in the community and church. He was one of three builders of the Colby Smith American Revolutionary Memorial, and was privileged to serve on the committee to erect the Korean War Memorial on the Courthouse Square. He was a Gideon, and at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, served as Sunday School teacher, Church Clerk and Deacon.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hoke and Eulice Brantley Smith, his brother-in-law, Johnie Waller, and his stepson, Daniel Wright. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Virginia Gooding Smith of Brethren Village, by sons, Thomas G. Smith (Karen) and Ronald W. Smith of Arizonia, stepdaughters Susan Reddell and Alice Howard (Curtis), as well as three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of California, his sisters Geraldine Waller of Washington County, Betty Josey (Alvin) of Augusta, Lynn Miller (Rocky) of Seabrook, Texas, and his brother, Robert K. Smith (Sumie) of Winter Haven, Florida, as well as numerous dear cousins, nieces and nephews in Georgia and other states. His aunt Bessie Vigliotti of Detroit also survives him, as does a brother-in-law, John Gooding and his wife, Mary, and their family of Lancaster, PA.

Donations for the preservation and upkeep of the cemetery may be sent to New Family Cemetery Association, Inc., Treasurer, 168 Red Hill Drive, Harrison, GA 31035

May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the arrangements.