Homer Smith Jr.

Homer Smith, Jr. was a loving husband, father, grandparent, great-grandparent, and friend who left this world when being called home to his final resting place by The Lord on February 6, 2021. Known to his family and friends as Smitty, he is survived by his loving wife Joan of 75 years, oldest son Todd Smith, daughter Jill Smith, son Drew Smith, daughter-in-law Kim Smith, grandchildren Stephanie Smith Sistrunk, Blake Smith, Kirsten Smith, Brian Smith, and great-grandchildren Dean Sistrunk, Hayden Sistrunk, Hudson Smith and Lola Smith.

Smitty was born to Homer and Leva Smith in Lexington, Kentucky on October 1, 1923. When Smitty was two years old his family moved to Highland Park, Illinois outside of Chicago. In 1939 they moved to the South Side of Chicago where he graduated from Parker High School in 1941.

He met the love of his life, Joan, in church in the fall of 1940 while he was singing in the choir at Highland Park Methodist Church. Remembering that day when he fell in love at first sight, Smitty said, "I was up front in the church with the rest of the choir and I saw this beautiful young lady sitting in one of the front pews and man was she gorgeous!" Known throughout his life as someone who always "got the job done," he started his courtship with Joan Burkhard that day and it lasted more than 75 years. There has never been a couple more in love.

In July 1942, Smitty and his best friend Don Simon both enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Smitty became a fighter pilot in World War II, flying a P-47 Thunderbolt in the 9 ^th Air Force, 405 ^th Fighter Group, 511 ^th Squadron that was based in Christchurch England when he arrived in Europe as a 20-year-old second lieutenant. On November 8, 1944, while flying a special mission, Smitty was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft guns. He landed his plane safely but was captured a few days later and spent months in POW camps in Poland and Germany, before he escaped with a few buddies in April 1945. Smitty forever remained grateful to the International Red Cross and the YMCA for their help with supporting the prisoners of war. A map that Smitty and his pals used for their escape was written on YMCA paper.

Smitty married his sweetheart Joan on December 8, 1945. Shortly thereafter they left the city of Chicago and headed west to Albuquerque New Mexico with their close friends John (who predeceased Smitty) and Bette Ittersagen where Smitty earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico.  Following his graduation, Smitty and Joan returned to the Chicago area where they enjoyed 75 years of a wonderful life together, surrounded by amazing friends and family in Homewood where they lived nearly their entire married life. His mechanical engineering degree and natural ability to fix things went to good use, not only professionally, but personally. He spent his entire career working for Inland Steel where he began as a foreman and retired as a Vice President. He had a way with fixing things, mechanical, electrical, you name it. Whenever friends, neighbors or family members needed something repaired like the air conditioning, the furnace, or garage door, the solution was always the same…"Call Smitty, he'll know what to do!"

Smitty was very active in Flossmoor Community Church, singing in the choir for many years and sang as a soloist on numerous occasions where his beautiful tenor voice filled the sanctuary with the heavenly sounds of God's love. Singing was a passion for Smitty, and it was a true sense of joy for him. Smitty and Joan often held get togethers for friends at their house, and the party almost always featured a song from Smitty who loved to sing alongside his close friend and next-door neighbor, Marj Wright. The harmonies that filled the Smith house on those occasions was magical. Called "Pappy" by his grandchildren, Brian remembers how his grandfather would sing songs during family visits and how his singing would always make him, and his siblings and other family members smile and laugh. Music was a passion for Pappy which has been passed on to his entire family.

Golf was Smitty's favorite avocation. He became a member of Calumet Country Club in 1968 and in the years following, he won the coveted club championship and numerous senior club championships while also serving a term as club President. Smitty never hit the golf ball a long way, but he was almost always in the fairway and he could putt like nobody's business. Playing partners would often remark, "Hey doesn't this guy ever miss a fairway?" Smitty always used to say, "Keep it in the short grass. That's the key to this game."

A devout Christian and philanthropic man, Smitty contributed to numerous non-profit organizations over the years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please donate to one of his favorite charities, Running Strong for American Indian Youth https://indianyouth.org/ , Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ , American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/ , or the YMCA https://www.ymca.net/ , on his behalf.

Private family service will be held, Smitty will be laid to rest on March 5, 2021 with full Military Honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.  For additional information contact tews-ryanfh.com or 708-798-5300.