George E. Smith, Jr.

George E. Smith, Jr.

George E. Smith, Jr., 72, of Chapman, died Nov. 3, 2014 at Memorial Hospital in Abilene. George was born Jan. 26, 1942 in Biloxi, Mississippi, the son of George E. (Sr.) & Edith (Langlinais) Smith. He graduated from Biloxi High School, Biloxi, MS in the class of 1959 and immediately entered the U.S. Navy. When he completed his 4 years in the Navy, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he spent the next 23 years. He retired in 1986 from the Army as a Command Sergeant Major (E-9). After his discharge from the military he was the owner/operator of Smith Air Conditioning & Refrigeration.
George was member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge # 1037 and the William LeRoy Talbot, Post #8773 of the V.F.W., both of Junction City; the MOPH, a fraternity of those that were awarded the Purple Heart. During his tour in Vietnam, he was awarded the Soldier's Medal, for saving a fellow soldier's life.
George married Patricia I. Hylton on Mar. 25, 1962 in Alameda, Calif. She died June 12, 2012. Survivors include: a son, George E. "Skip" Smith, III, Chapman; a daughter, Dennette Weigle, Abilene; and 2 grandchildren, Sarah Pfannenstiel and Jerad Busing. George was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014 at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Ft. Riley, with Pastor Jack Gilstrap officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard from Ft. Riley. Memorial contributions may be made to the A.S.P.C.A., sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington, Junction City, KS 66441.