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Our beloved husband, father, brother and friend, Merlin Chapman Smith Jr., Ret. USAF Col., peacefully departed us after a lengthy illness January 12, 2018, with family at his bedside. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 16, 2018, in the Sunrise Chapel at Walters Funeral Home. Lectors will be Kristopher Hallam, a grandson; and Donell Cook Totaro, a niece. Gift Bearers will be his daughters. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Elizabeth Shamp Smith; and three daughters, Catherine Anne Smith, Carolyn Alene Smith-Hallam, and Corryn Alyssa Smith Taylor and her husband Michael W. Taylor. He was the proud grandfather of four grandchildren, Kristopher Kraig Hallam, Caitlyn Emily Smith Guarnera, Sienna Rae and Camille Elizabeth Taylor; and loving brother to two sisters, Dorothy Elaine Smith (Elden) Butcher and Mary Kathleen Smith (Larry) Cook; as well as uncle to a host of nieces and nephews. Merlin who was also known as "Smitty," was born in Lafayette to Merlin Chapman Smith and Beatrice Broussard Smith on May 30, 1934. He attended Cathedral (class of '51) and graduated with a BS in Geology from South Louisiana Institute (SLI) in 1955. A member of ROTC, he then joined the Air Force as a commissioned officer, eventually pursuing pilot trainingm which segued into flying multi-engine planes transporting troops and cargo from Dover Air Force Base to the European Theatre and the Belgium Congo. Following his assignment at Dover AFB, he attained a Master's Degree in Geodetic Science from Ohio State University through the Air Force Institute of Technology Program. His next tour of duty was Orlando AFB, FL, where he met his future wife, Elizabeth. His first assignment after marrying "Bettie" in April of 1965 was in S. Vietnam, serving bravely as a Forward Air Controller during the war. Subsequent assignments followed at Eglin AFB, FL; Air War College, Montgomery, AL; Hickam AFB, Oahu, HI where he maintained several European Detachments; and Scott AFB, IL. His last promotion was Director of Defense Mapping Agency in Glenn Echo, MD. It was from there he retired in 1985 after 30 years of service and remained in Vienna, VA, to continue raising his family. In 2003, he returned to Lafayette where he once again enjoyed his Cajun culture. Smitty never had a boring moment during his years of retirement. His voice blended with every tenor section in several church choirs where he enjoyed the camaraderie from his fellow choir members. Gregarious Merlin, dedicated to a strict exercise regimen, also formed many friendships at Sport and Health Clubs in North VA and, later, at Red Lerille's Health Club in Lafayette. His favorite hobby was bringing old friends together from every aspect of his life, organizing reunions with former Cathedral classmates for lunches at Don's Hut, to the 56U Pilot Training and "Old Shaky" - C-124 - Reunions in Dover, DE. Merlin was a handsome, intuitive, cheerful, temperate, dependable patriarch of our family of girls and a steadfast friend to all who knew him. Pallbearers will be Kristopher Hallam, grandson; Michael Taylor, son-in-law; Steven Butcher, nephew; and Brian Butcher, also a nephew. A rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. at the funeral home on Monday, Jan. 15. The family requests visitation be held from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Monday and from 8 a.m. until time of services on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. A reception following the service will be held in The Reminisce Room at Walters Funeral Home. The family is requesting that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. or Hometown Heroes. Words of condolence can be expressed online at www.waltersfh.com. Walters Funeral Home, 2424 North University Avenue, 706-8941, in Lafayette is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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5 Entries
Our deepest sympathy to Elizabeth and family at this sad time. We have many happy memories of Smitty.
Don & Jean Rynes
January 18, 2018
Smitty has now reached his final crew rest and we will miss him, but know that he is in a better place; maybe in a cockpit looking over the shoulder of a young pilot. For his brothers, the pilots & navigators that had the pleasure of his company, we join Elizabeth and family in the celebration of Smitty's life and remembering the good times and hope to lessen the remembrance of those few cruel days that he had remaining on this earth.
In fond memory,
Harry & Johanna Heist
Harry Heist
January 17, 2018
My deepest sympathy to Elizabeth and the family. Smitty is much in my thoughts and prayers as he "flies west." It was a privilege to know and to serve with him. We flew in a world that now exists only in memory.
Don Wolpert
January 15, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and we send God's Peace to your family. We hold many sweet memories of Merlin that will stay with us always.
Love
Jim and Gail Bedore
Jim and Gail Bedore
January 14, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Gayle Moyers
January 13, 2018
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Walters Funeral Home - Lafayette2424 North University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70507
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Walters Funeral Home - Lafayette2424 North University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70507
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Walters Funeral Home - Lafayette2424 North University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70507
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Walters Funeral Home - Lafayette2424 North University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70507
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