Alan Yorke Smith

Smith, Alan Yorke
 
LCDR Alan Yorke Smith (retired), age 91, of Atlanta GA, died peacefully on March 21, 2016. He is survived by his son James K. Smith, son and daughter-in-law Robert A. Smith and Irina Supruniuk, and grandchildren Joseph S. Smith and Daria S. Smith. Alan was born in Bozeman, Montana on December 7, 1924 to parents Richard Clark Smith and Florence Hill Smith. As a child, he was known as a hard worker, selling newspapers on the street corner, and working as a shepherd for the meat packing company while he was in high school. When he was 18 he joined the Army Air Corps and served as a B-17 pilot in WWII. After the war, he returned to Kansas City to pursue a degree in psychology at Kansas University. He and Bette Louise Smither were married on June 4, 1949, eventually celebrating 59 years of marriage until her death in 2009.  After completing his undergraduate studies, Alan again pursued his love of flying becoming a Naval aviator, serving in the Atlantic, Pacific, including duty in Vietnam, and several years at the Naval War College. After his retirement from the Navy, he and Bette settled in Atlanta where he worked in the insurance industry, obtaining the designation of Certified Life Underwriter and heading the regional office of the North American Company for Life and Health. Throughout his life, he was active in church activities, and especially enjoyed singing in the choir. After his second retirement he was an active volunteer at DeKalb Medical Center, the Salvation Army, enjoyed crafting and refinishing furniture, and attending weekly meetings of the Silver Wings Fraternity, a group of aviation enthusiasts. He and Bette enjoyed traveling and spending time with their family, and especially their grandchildren. Alan will be remembered for his kindness, warm spirit, and as a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on March 26, 2016 at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Rd, Decatur, GA 30033.  The family will greet friends in the church parlor after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Grove United Methodist Church Music Ministry. A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033