Alfred Smith Jr.

Alfred Deshone Smith, Jr. of Gainesville, FL passed away peacefully at the Lake City VA medical center on April 26, 2025. He was born on April 30, 1948, as the fourth and final child of Pauline Blackburn Smith and Alfred Deshone Smith, Sr.
Alfred graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1967 and then enlisted voluntarily in the US Army in 1968. He was deployed to Vietnam after graduating basic training and walked into the Tet Offensive when he arrived in Vietnam. He later left the Army in 1976 but then re-enlisted in the Army again in 1982 and served some years in Berlin and then left military service again in 1987. His final job was as an Admin Specialist with Military Intelligence. He spent the rest of his days living and working in his home county of Alachua and taking care of his family.
Alfred had a son, John D. Smith, in 1989 with former spouse Sun H. Cho. Alfred later married Carolyn V. McKeown in 1999 and adopted her son James R. McKeown. Alfred was, first and foremost, a wonderful husband to Carolyn McKeown-Smith and a great father to his sons, John Smith and James McKeown, and a proud grandfather of five grandchildren. He had a love of aircraft, cars, action movies, military history, and more. Alfred had good-natured wit and humor which was appreciated and enjoyed by all those who knew him. He always had a pragmatic view on life and one of his favorite quotes was "Hindsight is always 20-20." His way of saying not to dwell on what has already happened, learn from it and do better next time.
Alfred is survived by his wife, Carolyn McKeown-Smith, his sons John Smith and James McKeown, daughters-in-law Kristin Smith (John), Maria McKeown (James), his grandchildren Isaac (John), Brendan, Mattlyn, Amori, and Reagan (James) and his sister M. Maurine Kirkland.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 2:30 pm at Forest Meadows Funeral Home at 725 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609. The viewing is from 1pm-2:30pm, the service is 2:30pm-3pm, and the military honors is at 3pm. Join us for refreshments in the reception room afterwards.