Colonel Gene Smith, US Air Force (Retired), passed away on Sunday, 15 July 2012, at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida due to surgery complications. There will be an internment ceremony at the Sarcoxie Cemetery at 10AM on 2 August. Colonel Smith served in the Korean War in the Navy, then transferred to the Air Force, retiring at Patrick Air Force Base (Satellite Beach) Florida in 1987 after 37 years of service. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Charlotte Bort Smith, their three adult children: Chris, Tammy and Tim, and four grandsons. Gene Smith, born 11 February 1932, died at 80 years of age on 15 July 2012