Harry Davis Smith, Sr., 97, a native of Tensaw, Alabama, and a loving father, passed away peacefully at William F. Green Veterans’ Home in Bay Minette, Baldwin County, AL Tuesday, March 17, 2015.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Lois Holmes Smith, his daughter, Patricia Smith Justice, and his parents Joseph and Fannie Smith. He is survived by two sons, Harry Davis (Agnes) Smith, Jr. , of Montrose, and Michael Holmes (Sandy) Smith, of Mobile; son-in-law Paul Andrew “Andy” Justice, Jr.; five grandchildren, Michael Holmes Smith, Jr. of Bay Minette, Paul Andrew Justice, III, David Alan Justice, Emily Beth Justice of Nashville, and Laura Elizabeth Smith of Baton Rouge; one brother, Francis B. Smith of Pine Bluff, AR and one sister, Edith McGuire of Tensaw.

Mr. Smith’s talents for electrical circuitry led him to work as an electrical installer during the REA’s push to electrify rural Alabama homes. As a member of the United States Navy Reserve, Mr. Smith applied for active duty in 1940. He was among the first to be schooled in radar, In 1943, with the war in the South Pacific reaching a critical stage, Mr. Smith was assigned to Dive Bombing Squadron 19, where he served for 3 years. He became leading navy chief of the squadron of approximately 60 men. In 1950, Mr. Smith was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict. For the next 2 years, he was assigned as radioman in a patrol plane off Okinawa in the China Sea. He retired in 1980 from Ingalls Shipbuilding and made Tensaw his permanent home in 1985. He continued to actively serve his community as a Deacon of the Montgomery Hill Baptist Church, president of the Fort Mims Restoration Association, and volunteer for emergency communications during three major hurricanes.

The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at William F. Green Veterans’ Home for their loving care for Mr. Smith during the past year.

A memorial service will be held at Montgomery Hill Baptist Church on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends in the Church sanctuary beginning at 9 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Montgomery Hill Memorial Association, c/o Mr. John E. Chason, Jr., 412 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette, AL 36507.
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