SMITH ELIJAH H

1LT Elijah H Smith was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 12/26/2011 at the age of 68.5 from A/C accident
Jacksonville, FL
Date of Birth 06/10/1943
Served in the U.S. Army
This information was provided by Obituary

More detail on this person: SMITH Elijah Hoke Smith, Jr., 68, passed away in a helicopter accident in Clay County on December 26, 2011. Hoke was born in Washington, Georgia on June 10, 1943, and was raised in Macon, Georgia. At age 17 he enrolled at Mercer University where he obtained his bachelors degree. He served his country with distinction during two tours in Vietnam and returned a decorated veteran, having earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, Hoke earned a Masters of Business Administration from the prestigious University of Chicago. Hoke went on to leadership roles in the business community, first in Chicago and then in Jacksonville where he founded and took to initial public offering General Parcel Service, a ground transportation company. In 1997 Hoke founded SK Logistics, later SK Jets, with one aircraft. SK Jets relocated to the St. Augustine Airport and grew to 40 employees and a fleet of seven jets and two helicopters. Hoke moved his family to the Palencia community in St. Johns County in 2004. He served as Chairman of the Marshall Creek Community Development District, and was an active parishioner and member of the finance committee of Cathedral Parish in St. Augustine. Hoke was a mans man; a letterman athlete in high school, brave in battle, fair and focused in business, and dedicated to his family. Hoke is survived by his wife of 50 years, Gayle; son, Derrick Smith of Green Cove Springs and his wife Denise; granddaughter Chloe Smith Lopez and her mother Isabelle Lopez of St. Augustine. A Funeral mass will be celebrated 10:00 AM Saturday at Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine, Rev. Fr. Tom Willis, Pastor officiating followed by committal services in San Lorenzo Cemetery. A prayer service will be held 6:00 PM Friday at Craig Funeral Home in St. Augustine the family will received friends immediately following the prayer service until 8:00 PM at Craig Funeral Home. Those wishing may make a contribution in Hoke's memory to Catholic Charities P.O. Box 543 St. Augustine, FL 32085 Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park www.craigfuneralhome.com is in charge of the arrangements Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

Published in the Florida Times-Union on December 30, 2011

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion/obitua ry.aspx?n=elijah-hoke-smith&pid=155252197

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024