Harry C. Smith

It is with heavy hearts we are announcing the sudden passing of a true Southern gentleman. Born in Brewton, Alabama on February 25, 1948, Harry was raised by his loving mother, Lily Coker Smith, and beloved grandma, "Muggy" Lily Ervin Wiggins Coker. After graduating from T.R. Miller High School in 1966. He proudly served in the United States Navy Reserves (1969-1972) during the Vietnam Conflict. He manned patrol boats (PBR) that were used to stop and search river traffic, frequently became involved in firefights with enemy soldiers. After receiving an honorable discharge, he went on to obtain his Juris Doctorate and was a Criminal Defense attorney for thirty years. After closing his law office in Bay Minette, Alabama he went to work for McKenzie Law Firm in Pensacola, Florida as a paralegal for Jim McKenzie. Once he decided it was time to retire he relocated to northwest Missouri with his wife, Janet. Before his death he had resided in Burlington Junction for eight years. Harry had many interests and was curious about many more. His memory was like a vault of information that he could pluck out a fact on most any subject at a moment's notice. He acquired his pilot's license in Brewton and never lost his love for airplanes. He obtained his 2nd degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, an interest he shared with his son and daughter and was a press box announcer for little league baseball for many years. Harry is preceded in death by his mother, Lily Coker Smith; his father, Jacob Smith; his grandma, "Muggy" and his Uncle Jennings "Big Chief" Coker; also the mother of his two children, Robin Letitia Smith and a nephew, Darren Meehan. Left to mourn his passing is his wife of twenty-eight years, Janet; his daughter, Jamie (Leo) Oalmann and son, Jonathan (Kelly) Smith. His step-daughter, Carrie (Paul) Hamel and his good friend and step-son, Kyle (Amy) Barmann. Grandchildren, Caitlyn Talley, Aeryn Oalmann, Jessali Oalmann, Lexi (Shane) Stegall, Dallace Hamel, Kylie Barmann, Devon Jackson and Collin Jackson. Great-grandsons, Kaiden Jackson and Suede James Stegall; his sister, Corinne Lamont plus numerous friends. Where there was deep grief, there was great love.