Raymond W. Smith, Sr., 84, of South Hill Road, died peacefully Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Adirondack Medical Center, Saranac Lake, holding the hand of the love of his life, his wife, Edith.
Born on February 10, 1931 in Coxsackie, he was the son of the late Raymond D. and Sarah (Coulter) Smith. He was a graduate of Albany High School and North Country Community College.
On March 4, 1952 he married Edith E. Wiedemann in Augsburg, Germany.
Ray began his 25-year career as a pilot in the United States Air Force when he enlisted in 1950. He served in the Korean War earning the Occupational Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. In the Vietnam War, he earned many medals including the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, The Bronze Star Medal, Air Force Campaign Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, The Good Conduct Medal with 2 bronze loops, Army Occupation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. He retired from the Air Force as a Major on January 31, 1973.
In 1976, the family moved to Long Lake where Ray was the president of the Long Lake Historical Society and a member of the Long Lake American Legion Post 650.
His interests included genealogy, and local history.
Ray was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Betty Coleman.
He will be sadly missed by his family. Left to cherish his memory are, his loving wife of 63 years, Edith E. Smith; two sons, Raymond W. Smith, Jr. and his wife Judith of Philadelphia, PA; Teofilo V. Smith and his wife Debbie of Westampton, NJ; two grandsons Ryan and his wife Erin & Joshua and his wife Jenny; one granddaughter, Bridgette and her husband Andrew; three step grandsons, Joey, Kurt, Duncan; one great grandson, Atticus; three step great grandsons, Joey, Samuel, James; three step great granddaughters, Faith, Mattie, and Emelia; and brother-in-law, Robert Coleman of Albany.
There are no calling hours scheduled.
A memorial service will be conducted 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at Long Lake Wesleyan Church with the Rev. John Gocke, officiating.
There will be a reception immediately following the service at the Long Lake Diner.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ray’s memory may be directed to the Long Lake Rescue Squad, PO Box 415, Long Lake, NY 12847.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Miller Funeral Home, 6357 State Rte. 30, Indian Lake.
To express online condolences, please visit www.brewermillerfuneralhomes.com
Raymond W. Smith, Sr., 84, of South Hill Road, died peacefully Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Adirondack Medical Center, Saranac Lake, holding the hand of the love of his life, his wife, Edith.
Born on February 10, 1931 in Coxsackie, he was the son of the late Raymond D. and Sarah (Coulter) Smith. He was a graduate of Albany High School and North Country Community College.
On March 4, 1952 he married Edith E. Wiedemann in Augsburg, Germany.
Ray began his 25-year career as a pilot in the United States Air Force when he enlisted in 1950. He served in the Korean War earning the Occupational Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. In the Vietnam War, he earned many medals including the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, The Bronze Star Medal, Air Force Campaign Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, The Good Conduct Medal with 2 bronze loops, Army Occupation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. He retired from the Air Force as a Major on January 31, 1973.
In 1976, the family moved to Long Lake where Ray was the president of the Long Lake Historical Society and a member of the Long Lake American Legion Post 650.
His interests included genealogy, and local history.
Ray was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Betty Coleman.
He will be sadly missed by his family. Left to cherish his memory are, his loving wife of 63 years, Edith E. Smith; two sons, Raymond W. Smith, Jr. and his wife Judith of Philadelphia, PA; Teofilo V. Smith and his wife Debbie of Westampton, NJ; two grandsons Ryan and his wife Erin & Joshua and his wife Jenny; one granddaughter, Bridgette and her husband Andrew; three step grandsons, Joey, Kurt, Duncan; one great grandson, Atticus; three step great grandsons, Joey, Samuel, James; three step great granddaughters, Faith, Mattie, and Emelia; and brother-in-law, Robert Coleman of Albany.
There are no calling hours scheduled.
A memorial service will be conducted 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at Long Lake Wesleyan Church with the Rev. John Gocke, officiating.
There will be a reception immediately following the service at the Long Lake Diner.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ray’s memory may be directed to the Long Lake Rescue Squad, PO Box 415, Long Lake, NY 12847.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Miller Funeral Home, 6357 State Rte. 30, Indian Lake.
To express online condolences, please visit www.brewermillerfuneralhomes.com
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