Colonel John H. Smith, 87 of Prattville, Alabama passed away July 15, 2016 after a valiant multi-year battle with Lyme’s disease. He was the son of Herman and Eula Mae Smith, born June 5, 1929 in Zwolle. He grew up in Florien and joined the US Army in 1946 serving two years as a Paratrooper. After leaving the Army, he married Bonnie Lea Lewing in July of 1950 and worked hard to put himself through McNeese State University in Lake Charles. He graduated with a BS degree in Accounting and entered the US Air Force, working in both Air Reserve and Active-Duty Military capacities where he progressed to the rank of Colonel and Base Commander of Dobbins Air Force Base and of the 94th Combat Support Group in Marietta, Georgia, a post he held for nine years. Afterwards, he was an adviser to the Civil Air Patrol and based in Montgomery, AL. He was a man’s man; strong in presence, strong in character and someone you could always count on. He had an unwavering sense of duty and obligation to his family and his country. Despite his many personal and professional accomplishments, he never wore them on his sleeve; most likely a consequence of a humble depression-era rural upbringing where everyone was a friend and an equal. John retired in June of 1989 and purchased a farm in Prattville, Alabama pursuing his dream of returning to his rural roots of crops, cattle and bird hunting. The latter was his passion and he was worldclass at it. He poured his heart and labor into the farm, primarily for the benefit of his family, and today it is enjoyed by all. He was preceded in death by his loving wife and parents, as well as his younger sisters, Cynthia Wilson and Sue Lynn Strange. He is survived by his children, Mark H. Smith and wife, Vicki, Sonya L. Smith and husband, Harry Bryan, Matthew J. Smith, and Melanie A. Smith and husband, Cecil; grandchildren, Codie Rose Smith and Bonnie Lee Smith and many loved nieces and nephews. While he takes leave of this earth, he carries on in all of us. There will be a memorial service at Mt Carmel Baptist Church, Florien beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 13.
July 15, 2026
