Obituary of Wayne Robert Smith

Wayne Robert Smith, age 91, of Lake Ozark, Missouri, rejoined his loved ones in heaven on Thursday, August 12, 2010, at Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach, Missouri. Wayne was born November 26, 1918 in Pulaski County, Missouri and was raised in Brumley, Missouri. In high school he was an avid basketball player. After graduating from Brumley High School he attended Central Missouri State in Warrensburg and subsequently taught school at China Ridge, a one-room schoolhouse. In June 1941 he enlisted in the Air Force. He married Helen Iola Miles in 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah. During his 21 years of military service he advanced to the rank of Major. He completed 30 combat missions in B-17 Bomber air crafts flying out of England with the 8 Air Force 351 Bomb Group. Major Smith was appointed Squadron Bombardier and flew as Lead Bombardier in squadron and group formations. For his service he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, 5 Air Medals, Good Conduct Medal, and various other decorations and awards. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America. Following the war he served as Communications Officer in Japan, Goose Bay (Labrador), and United States Air Force Bases. He retired in 1962 and subsequently worked with disadvantaged kids through the Missouri Ozark Economic Opportunity Corporation in Richland, Missouri. Wayne loved to golf, fish, bowl, garden, hunt, bird watch and invent things. He was a Charter member of the Brumley Lion�s Club, and served as President, Secretary and Treasurer. He was also an active member of the Rodden Church of Christ. During his life, Wayne lived in approximately 22 places. He was a fun-loving, upstanding man who never met a stranger and was a positive influence for everyone he knew. Wayne is survived by his wife, Helen Iola Smith, brother David Smith and wife Luane of Imperial, Missouri and sister Ruth Grishkat of Jefferson City, Missouri. He is also survived by his five children and their families: Mike Smith and his wife Kathleen of Gladstone, Missouri; Melanie Windels and her husband Ted, of Lake Ozark; Craig Smith of Lake Ozark; Kim Luca and her husband Joe, of Blue Springs, Missouri; and Kristin Gonder and her husband Greg, of Springfield, Missouri. Wayne is survived by 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Cecil Marion Smith and granddaughter, Lena Stella Luca.