John Joseph Smith, 79, died on Jan. 26 2018 in Springfield, Missouri.
Burial with military honors was held at 11 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.
John was born in Wilton on Oct. 3, 1938 to the late John and Juanita Maurer Smith.
On his 17th birthday, John joined the U.S. Navy and served on the aircraft carrier, the USS Forrestal.
Following his Navy service, John went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller. He loved to fly and was a licensed pilot. After retiring from the FAA, he earned a degree in horticulture from Iowa State University.
John was a life-long learner and reader, especially anything related to science, astronomy and physics. When he wasn’t reading, he could be found working around the house, gardening and working in his yard. He enjoyed helping neighbors and friends with projects. Part of his daily routine was to hang the U.S. flag from sunrise to sundown every day.
John is survived by his three children: Molly (Rand) Chappell of Charleston, Illinois, Carol (Harold) Zatorski of Richmond, Virginia and Tom (Heidi) Smith of Springfield; four granddaughters: Lauren and Paige Chappell, Kate Smith and Leah Zatorski; two sisters and a brother in Moscow: Catherine (George) Leggins, Mary (Bill) Laucamp and Doug (Connie) Smith; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane in 2009, his parents and his brothers: Jerry, Robert and Bill.