Arthur A. Smith, 94, of Houston, entered into rest on Friday, January 18, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Art was born on August 18, 1924 in East Alton, IL. His life was defined by a humble beginning, a love of family and country, a thirst for knowledge, a quest for the unknown, application of his skills and abilities to the complexities of ballistics, rocketry and missile technology, and a passion to raise his children to be responsible, productive citizens. Art enjoyed a number of activities and hobbies, including hunting, fishing, boating, building, and raising his kids with his beautiful wife of 67 years, Marge.
Art graduated from Wood River High School in 1942 and went on to serve his country in the United States Navy for three years during WWII. He then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri – Rolla in 1950. Art worked in Research and Development first at Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois, before settling in at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. He received numerous awards during his lifetime, including Professional Engineer, State of Alabama; Department of the Army Outstanding Performance Commendation in 1964; Department of the Army Sustained Superior Performance Award 1961; The De Anza Trail Society of the Children of the American Revolution Certificate of Appreciation; Who's Who in the South and Southwest. He was also a member of The Order Of The Founders And Patriots Of America.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home in Addison, where services will be held at 5 p.m. Reverend Mr. Kevin Kanter will officiate. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville.
Art is survived by sons, Mark A. Smith and his wife Rebecca, Keith W. Smith and his wife Elaine, Scott A. Smith and his wife Donna. He is also survived by daughters, Karen S. Howard-Nordan and her husband Harry "Duke", and Shelley Curtiss Rogers and her husband Steven; brother, Otis H. Smith and his wife Mary Jo. He was grandfather to 9 grandchildren, Heath A. Curtiss, Amber R. Perkowski, Dana P. Howard, Anna M. Teal, Robert A. Smith, Patricia A. Eicholtz, Jennifer L. Newcome, Ashley H. White, and William C. Hodge; and 5 great grandchildren, Christopher Logan White, Annalise S. Curtiss, Harper A. Curtiss, Raechel Anne Lester, and Oliver A. Howard.
He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Smith; parents, Harry and Anna Smith; brothers, Hile S. Smith, Robert D. Smith and Harry Smith, Jr.
Donations may be made in Art's honor to Southeast Hospice, Walker County.
