1931
John
2017
John Carlton Smith
December 30, 1931 — November 11, 2017
John Carlton Smith, age 85 of Bedford, VA. passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty Abbott Smith, his daughter Julie Klunk, her husband Dan and their two children, William and Ryan; his son David Smith, his wife Alyson and their four daughters Lilly, Cheyenne, Maiya, and Nina; his sister, Nancy S. Cole of Highland Park, IL; brother-in-law Robert W. Abbott, his wife Betty Ann of Bedford, VA; sister-in-law, Anne Abbott of Richmond; many nieces and nephews and his beloved dachshund, Heidel.
He was an active member of Bedford Baptist Church and Liberty Sunday School Class. John had a strong faith in the God he served.
John was a native of Clintwood, Virginia. He was born in 1931, the son of the late Elmer Carlton and Genoa Damron Smith. He attended Dickenson County Memorial and Industrial High School and East Tennessee State University, graduating in 1954 with a degree in Environmental Health.
John was a Registered Sanitarian for the Virginia Department of Health. In 1997, he retired as an Environmental Health Supervisor after 39 years of service. John worked first in Pittsylvania and Lee Counties prior to coming to Bedford where he spent the majority of his career. He served as a Sea Transportation Specialist in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 in Yokohama Japan and was a proud member of the American Legion Post 54.
John always put others first. He did, however, make time for himself by doing things he loved, such as taking naps, woodworking, being active in the Boy Scouts where he achieved his Order of the Arrow, reading, working outside, and working puzzles. He enjoyed spending time playing with his grandchildren and sharing stories of his life.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Bedford Baptist Church with Dr. David L. Henderson officiating. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park with military honors by American Legion Post #54.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in John Smith’s name be made to either Bedford Baptist Church Memorial Fund 1632 Oakwood Street Bedford, VA 24523 or the American Legion Post 54, 231 West Depot Street Bedford, VA 24523.
To send condolences online please visit www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford is assisting the family.
He was an active member of Bedford Baptist Church and Liberty Sunday School Class. John had a strong faith in the God he served.
John was a native of Clintwood, Virginia. He was born in 1931, the son of the late Elmer Carlton and Genoa Damron Smith. He attended Dickenson County Memorial and Industrial High School and East Tennessee State University, graduating in 1954 with a degree in Environmental Health.
John was a Registered Sanitarian for the Virginia Department of Health. In 1997, he retired as an Environmental Health Supervisor after 39 years of service. John worked first in Pittsylvania and Lee Counties prior to coming to Bedford where he spent the majority of his career. He served as a Sea Transportation Specialist in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 in Yokohama Japan and was a proud member of the American Legion Post 54.
John always put others first. He did, however, make time for himself by doing things he loved, such as taking naps, woodworking, being active in the Boy Scouts where he achieved his Order of the Arrow, reading, working outside, and working puzzles. He enjoyed spending time playing with his grandchildren and sharing stories of his life.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Bedford Baptist Church with Dr. David L. Henderson officiating. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park with military honors by American Legion Post #54.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in John Smith’s name be made to either Bedford Baptist Church Memorial Fund 1632 Oakwood Street Bedford, VA 24523 or the American Legion Post 54, 231 West Depot Street Bedford, VA 24523.
To send condolences online please visit www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford is assisting the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Carlton Smith, please visit our flower store.
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