More detail on this person: Retired Lt. Col.
Bruce Everett Smith, 73, of Peabody went home to
be with the Lord on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013. He was
born Aug. 28, 1939, in Hays to parents Arthur
Everett and Clara Livonia (Hemphill) Smith of
Greensburg and had three younger siblings: Sharyl
Haruguchi of Honolulu, Hawaii, Suzanne Potter of
Birmingham, Ala., and Jon Smith of Detro it, Mich.
After graduating from Greensburg High School in
1957, Bruce attended Kansas State University,
where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon
fraternity. ROTC, and the swim team and earned a
degree in mechanical engineering in1962. While in
Manhattan, he met and married his beautiful wife,
Jeanne DeForest of Peabody, on March 19, 1960.
They have five children, Barbara, Brenda, Scott,
Brian, and Bradley. Upon graduation, Bruce was
commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S.
Army and served two tours in the Vietnam war,
flying helicopters. He 'and his family traveled
around the world, living in Germany, Texas,
Alabama, Kansas, and New Mexico. 'He obtained
his master's degree from Webster University in
1982. He also received numerous awards including
the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the
Meritorious Service Medal, 16 awards of the Air
Medal, and the Master Army Aviator Badge.
Bruce retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1984
after 22 years as an Army officer and relocated to
Peabody where he worked for Kansas Farm
Bureau, DeForest Real Estate, and.Boeing Military
Airplane Company. Bruce enjoyed playing golf with
his friends and family, gardening,fishing at his
pond.and designing and completing woodworking
projects for his grandchildren.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Jeanne, of Peabody;
two daughters, Barbara Smith Creighton and her
husband, Dean, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Brenda
Smith Rolfe and her husband, Dave, of Dallas,
Texas; three sons Scott Smith and his wife, Shana,
of Hesston, Brian Smith and his wife, Nissa, of
Marion, and Bradley Smith, and his wife, Celisa,
of Wichita; and 16 grandchildren.
Visitation was Sunday, Aug. 11, at Baker Funeral
Home in Peabody. The memorial service was
Monday, Aug. 12, at Peabody United Methodist
Church. Intetment with military honors was
Tuesday, Aug. 13, at Leavenworth National
Cemetery in Leavenworth. Memorials have been
established with Peabody Senior Center, Peabody
Community Foundation, and American Legion Post
95, Peabody.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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