Stephen M Smith

Stephen M Smith, 52, of Pace, FL passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in Kingsville, TX.
He was born to Sandra J. Smith (Dobrow) and Bud W. Smith on December 19, 1972, in Daytona Beach, Florida. He graduated from Auburn University in 1994 with a B.A in Aviation Management. A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Stephen served our country with honor, courage, and unwavering dedication.
During his 20 years of military service, he held the rank of Major and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Iraq Campaign Medal (w/1 star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Kuwait), Navy Unit Commendation, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), National Defense Service Medal (2) Sea Service Deployment ribbon (5), Expert Rifle Qualification Badge (2), Marksman Pistol Qualification. After training in NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, Meridian, MS and Kingsville TX, he earned his Naval Aviator Wings in Kingsville, TX in 1998. During his military career he was stationed with VMFA 106, VMFA 312, VMFA 533, VT 21, Air Command and Staff College, earning a master's degree in arts/leadership from Air University, 1st Marine Air Wing, and VT 3. He served in many positions, F/A 18 pilot, Senior Marine Instructor Pilot, Fixed Wing Current Operations Officer, Strategic Plans Officer, Government Flight Representative (Iraq), Aviation Safety Officer, Safety Officer Department Head, and Operations Officer.
After retiring from the Marine Corps, Stephen worked as a contract simulator instructor for Cubic Corporation CAE/DRG Corporation, General Manager for Storage King USA and a contract simulator instructor for Fidelity Technologies Corporation CNATRA CIS program.
Stephen was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Leonard and Lorraine Dobrow, and paternal grandparents, Walter and Freda Smith.
Stephen is survived by his wife of 28 years, Karen Gomillion Smith of Pace, FL; his daughter, Emma Smith of Pace, FL; his parents, Bud and Sandra Smith of Harrodsburg, KY.
A Committal Service for Stephen Smith will be held on Friday June 20, 2025, at 1:00pm at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Road Pensacola, FL 32508. The procession will meet no later than 12:30pm at Olive Baptist Church- Warrington Campus, 103 West Winthrop Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32507.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lewis Funeral Home 4777 West Spencer Field Road, Pace, FL 32571 or given to the family to help with expenses.
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