Obie Armour Smith

(10/15/2003) Obie Armour Smith Lt Col Obie A. Smith, USAF retired, of Austin, Texas, took his final flight on Sunday, October 12, 2003. After a brave struggle with a long-term illness, he now soars with the angels. Lt Col Smith was born October 26, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois, to Mr. and Mrs. Obadiah A. Smith. His love of flying was evident at an early age. The civilian planes he flew were as varied as the military planes he commanded -- flying in over 100 aircraft. He flew for the first time with his father at the controls of an American Airlines Ford Tri-Motor in 1929. After graduation from Tilden Technical High School, he was inducted into Aviation Cadet Training in the Army Air Corps in late 1943. He would serve his country for over 33 years with distinction. During those years, he flew an unprecedented 18,000 hours mishap-free. His list of favorite aircraft includes the P-51, P-40, P-38, F-80, F-84, F-86, T-38, C-130, Beech Craft King Air, Cessna 210, Piper Seneca II, Boeing Stearman and the Midget class racer. He was proud to have earned an impressive second place in the National Midget Class Championship at the final Cleveland Air Races of 1948. During the closing months of the Vietnam Conflict, he earned an unprecedented two Bronze Stars facilitating the critical re-supply of embattled U.S Marines in the Citadel of Quan Tri. He retired from Bergstrom Air Force Base of Austin. Obie was an Eagle Scout, sportsman and avid boating enthusiast -- though flying was his passion. His hobbies included building radio-controlled models, scuba diving, amateur radio, skeet shooting and bowling. He was a long term member of the Austin Yacht Club and Coast Guard Auxiliary. Obie lived his faith and was a member of St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Austin. He is survived by his wife, Katherine, his bride of 54 years and the love of his life. He is also survived by his children: Obie Thomas Smith, wife, Eileen and son, Gaelen of Coral Gables, Florida; Jeffrey Malcolm Smith, wife, Kelly, daughter, Meagan and son, Harrison of Round Rock, Texas; and Jody Christopher Smith, wife, Laura, son, Christopher, daughter, Camille and son, Wade of Arlington, Texas. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jocelyn Deborah Smith and his parents. The family would like to thank The Barton House, The Summit at Westlake Hills and Lone Star Hospice of Austin for their kind and caring service. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 17, 2003, at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, 4311 Small Dr. in Austin. Graveside services will follow at 1:15 p.m. at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio with full military honors. Arrangements by Weed-Corley- Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 - (512) 452-8811. You may view memorials online at www.wcfish.com