PARKE SMITH

SMITH, Parke Farr, 93, died Sunday, June 16, 2013 at his home in Richmond. He was preceded in death by his parents, Augusta and James; his brother, James A. Smith Jr.; and sister, Helen Smith Johnson. He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Alice Burwell Preston Smith; four children, Christie Reed Smith, Preston Sheffey Smith, James Alexander Smith II (Sallie) and Parke Burwell Smith (Marjorie); and seven grandchildren, Parke Farr Smith II, Jaclyn Smith East (Stephen), Phillip Matthew Summers, Sara-Scott Smith, Kimberley Alexandra Smith, Zane Perrin Smith and Nathaniel Burwell Smith; and close friend, Jesse Wilkins. Parke was a graduate of St. Christopher's School and attended the University of Virginia until in 1942, when he enlisted in the Royal Air Force to join England's war effort. He was the last U.S. pilot to be accepted into the RAF via their training scheme at War Eagle Field, Los Angeles. As a flight lieutenant, he piloted Spitfires, P-51s and Hurricanes through numerous reconnaissance and combat missions over Europe and Africa. He returned home in 1946 to work in the family business, Eastern Building Supply, which he eventually ran from the time of his father's death until he retired in 1985. After the war, he continued his love for flying by entertaining others as a stunt pilot for Barnstormers Airshows and flight competitions domestically and abroad until retiring as a pilot in his late 70s. In retirement, he wrote "A Virginian in Best Blue," a book chronicling his experiences as a pilot in the RAF. In addition to flying, Parke enjoyed sailing, skiing, photography and building furniture. He was a member of the Country Club of Virginia, Richmond German, Royal Air Force Club and the Cruising Club of America. His family would like to give special thanks to his thoughtful caregivers, Barbara, Glenn, Floyd, Kemaka and Jamica. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Va., with a reception following at the Country Club of Virginia (Westhampton). In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made to St. Christopher's School, 711 St. Christopher's Rd., Richmond, Va. 23226; Richmond SPCA, 2519 Hermitage Rd., Richmond, Va. 23220, or the Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5LL, United Kingdom.

This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.