Samuel Travis Smith

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Samuel Travis Smith, 79, passed away surrounded by family in Colorado Springs, CO, on September 26th, 2022. Sam was born on August 16th, 1943 in Watsonville, CA, to his parents Norman Smith and Elizabeth (Smith) Thorpe.

Sam was a decorated veteran who took great pride in his military career. After enlisting in the Army in 1963, Sam began his service as a Combat Engineer in Germany. He attended Officer Candidate School in 1969 and spent much of his early officer time in Special Forces units, the 8th and then 7th Special Forces Groups, in Panama. After Command & General Staff College, he spent several years with the 75th MAC in Texas followed by an assignment in Northern Virginia. In 1988, Sam was assigned as the Military Liaison Officer for the US Embassy in Jamaica. He culminated his career serving as the Army Liaison Officer for the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field. Sam retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1993 after 30 years of active duty service.

After retiring from the military, Sam embarked on a 15 year career with First Command Financial Services in Shalimar, FL, during which he advised and counseled many military families to improve their financial well-being.

Sam was a member of several local organizations, to include the Ft. Walton Beach Sailfish Club, the Special Forces Association - Chapter VII, and the Special Forces Brotherhood Motorcycle Club - Duke Field Charter. Throughout his life, he was an avid scuba diver, hunter, fisherman, and motorcyclist. He enjoyed volunteering for veterans organizations and at his local voting precincts each election day.

Sam is survived by his wife, Edie; son Norman Smith and his children Cody, Samuel, Alexis, Johnny, Harley, and Quincy; son Travis and wife Mary Smith and their children Hudson and Sadie; daughter MaryEdith and husband Andy Malin and their children Katelyn, Pierce, and Lucy; son Chester and wife Lindsey Smith and their children Wyatt and Emma; and sisters Carole Leita and Elise Krueger. He is preceded in death by his parents Norman Smith and Elizabeth (Smith) Thorpe.

There will be a Memorial Service at the Shalimar United Methodist Church on October, 7th 2022 at 11:00am, with a Visitation beginning at 10:15am. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Smith House that afternoon from 4-7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Special Forces Association - Chapter VII at www.sfa7.com/donation.