Derwood "D.K." SMITH

SMITH, Derwood 'D.K.'
Col. USAF (Retired)
May 21, 1919 - June 4, 2011
D.K. passed away peacefully with his wife and youngest son by his side.
He was born on his parents farm in Waterloo, Indiana and even after traveling and living all over the world, Indiana remained at home. He was a star athlete in track (high hurdles) and basketball in both high school and college at Tri State University in Angola, Indiana.



In May 1941, D.K. joined the Army Air Corps and graduated flight school in January, 1942 at Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas. As a member of the 31st Fighter Group he served in England in June 1942 and flew Spitfires participating in many raids over Germany, as well as combat support of operations in North Africa and Sicily. After flying 126 missions he returned to the United States in 1943 to marry his high school sweetheart, Geraldine Husselman. They were married for 67 years. D. K. remained on active duty in the Air Force stationed at the Pentagon, England, post-war Germany, the Philippines, and many bases in the U.S. He retired after 30 years active duty to live in Sacramento where his love of automobiles lead him to a successful second career with Hubacher Cadillac.

One of his greatest pleasures was playing golf (12 handicap) with his buddies at local golf courses and road trips to the Bayonet Course at Ft. Ord near Monterey.

D.K. and Geraldine moved to Folsom, California in 1997 where they continued to enjoy life with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Geraldine, sons Terry and Rob, daughter Linda, their spouses, 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and brother Don E. Smith, of Waterloo, Indiana.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. at Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery; 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, California. Friends are welcome to join the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vitas Hospice Care, 3841 N. Freeway Blvd., Suite 210, Sacramento, California 95834.