More detail on this person: Gregory James Smith MESQUITE, NV - Gregory James Smith, a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend, died on July 29, 2003, in Mesquite, Nevada, at age 56. He left behind a son, Bryan Smith, a daughter, Robyn Smith, a former wife, Betty Smith, two brothers, Eugene and Geoff Smith, a daughter-in-law, Tricia Smith, three grandchildren, Whitney Ketcham, Emma Smith, and Isabelle Smith, a nephew, Kason Smith, and two nieces, Stacey Smith and Shannon Clark. He also left behind a large and loyal group of friends throughout the United States and abroad, all of whom will miss him dearly. Born in Oakland, California on August 7, 1946, to James and Winifred Smith, Greg attended high school in Reno and South Lake Tahoe, where he was elected vice president of his junior class and president of his senior class. Graduating from high school in 1964, he attended American River College, Foothill College, and Stanford, with aspirations of becoming a doctor. Unable financially to remain in college, he was drafted into the US Army in 1966. He was then accepted into Officer Candidate School for the Army Corp of Engineers, where he graduated at the top of his class. Greg also graduated first in his helicopter flight training class and later became an instructor pilot. Throughout the mid to late 1980s, he flew for various corporations throughout the United States, and then moved to Europe (Paris, then London) where he focused on international airplane sales, demonstrations, and inspections, in addition to flying for international businessmen and political figures through Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. His private charter business in Europe led him to personal encounters with many interesting and controversial figures, including Yasser Arafat. By the time he moved back to the United States, in the late 1990s, he had made over 100 North Atlantic crossings, most of the time flying solo, ferrying aircraft to and from Europe and the United States. After his stay in Europe, he moved to Texas and continued working in aircraft sales and inspections. Unfortunately, after moving to Texas, his flying career was cut short due to heart problems which required bypass surgery. After his surgery, he began doing consulting work out of Mesquite, Nevada, and was attempting to relocate permanently to Yakima to be with his family. Greg's warm heart, sharp wit, and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at Keith & Keith Chapel on 9th and Yakima Ave., Monday, August 18, at 10:00 a.m., with a military burial to follow at the Tahoma Cemetery. A reception will be held at the local V.F.W. after the burial.
Burial information: Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA
This information was last updated 08/21/2020
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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