Claude Wesley Smith, Jr.'s Obituary
Claude Wesley Smith, Jr.
Claude Wesley Smith, Jr. "Smitty" passed away April 11, 2008 in Longview surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Desdemona, Texas to Claude Wesley Smith and Ruby Autumn "Jo" Lee on October 11, 1921, he graduated from Kilgore High School and attended the University of Southern California before entering World War II as a pilot in the Air Transport Command.
Claude served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters and Korean War, where he flew transports all over the world including the Berlin Airlift and the hump into China. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross MedalAsiaPacific, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal WWII, World WarII Victory Medal
Berlin Airlift, National Defense Service Medal and Legion of Merit Medal. He remained in the Air Force as a Class 5 Pilot, where he directed all of the turbo-prop testing for the Air Force and was the first Air Force Pilot to fly the DC-8, Claude retired from the Air Force in 1960 as a Colonel.
Claude pursued a career in the petroleum industry in China, Japan, Indonesia and South America. Claude retired to Longview in 1965. Humbled by his many accomplishements, he delighted in discussions about flying, which he called "the greatest thing I ever did.
Preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Smith, he is survived by sister, Pat McGuffin and nieces and nephews, Judy Frederick of Tyler, Mike McGuffin of Longview, Susan Wallace of Longview, Peggy Vaughan of Longview, Larry McGuffin of Dallas, Donna Ward of Longview and Kelly Lugar of Washington, D.C.
Claude's family wishes to express profound appreciation to the many doctors and medical staff who provided compassionate care to him over the years, and also a special thanks to his friends and staff of Hawkins Creek.
Gravesite funeral services will be 2pm Tuesday April 15, 2008, at the Memory Park Cemetery in Longview. Visitation will be 6-7 p.m. Monday April 14, 2008 at Rader Funeral Home.
In Lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association or the Longview VFW Post 4002, 401 Ambassodor Row. St.; Longview, Texas 75601
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