Emmett W. Smith Sr. died July 26, 2004, in Gilroy. He was born
78 years ago in Drew County, Ark.
Emmett W. Smith Sr. died July 26, 2004, in Gilroy. He was born 78 years ago in Drew County, Ark.
Mr. Smith was a Morgan Hill resident since 1959 and was a masonry contractor who generously donated his time and skills to various projects throughout the community.
Emmett was an Army Air Force veteran of World War II and was stationed on the Air Force repair ship Brigadier General Alfred J. Lyon as a high-speed radio operator in the South Pacific. When needed, he also served in the Thirteenth Air Force, flying missions over Borneo and Japan delivering medical supplies after the atomic bomb was dropped. He was the Past Master of the Morgan Hill Masonic Lodge, Past Grand Bible Bearer of the Grand Masonic Lodge of California, Past Patron of Manzanita Chapter OES, member of Gilroy Masonic Lodge, member Magnolia Chapter OES, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Gilroy and Sons of the American Revolution.
Mr. Smith is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marion Smith of Morgan Hill; children Emmett W. Smith Jr. of Larkspur, Marion Kathleen Smith of Morgan Hill, Eva Susanne and her husband David Pribyl Sr. of Gilroy, and Kirsten Tindall Smith and her husband Eric Olson of Morgan Hill; grandchildren Janelle Renee, Christopher Adam, Laura Darlene, James Mitchell, David Warren and Brian Webster; great-grandson Noah Emmett; sister Ludie Mae Bradford of Washington, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1 at the Gilroy Masonic Lodge.
The family asks that any donations be made to the Masonic Home for Children c/o Grand Lodge of California, 1111 California St., San Francisco, CA 94108
