Charles E. Smith
Charles Eugene Smith, 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 surrounded by his loved ones. A resident of Las Vegas, NV since 1994, he was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on the 6th of March 1930, to Richard and Gertrude Smith (Law).
At 17 years of age, he joined the US Marine Corps and served during the Korean War. He also served in the Army National Guard Reserves thereafter. Prior to working as a Life Insurance Agent with John Hancock, he also worked doing record keeping for Counsel Company in St. Johnsbury.
In 1981, Charles life drastically changed after a major automobile accident with his son that severed his right leg. This however did not deter him from pursuing new avenues in life now being disabled. He decided to go back to school at Lyndon State College and at 52 years old he graduated with a business and accounting degree.
In 1988, after correspondence by mail he decided to fly across the Pacific Ocean and married the love of his life, Susan. He lived in the Philippines for 5 years before returning to the US soil for good in 1993 along with his new family.
Before losing his leg, Charles was an outdoorsman who enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, and hunting. He prided himself on his potato crops which he grew in his huge potato field. He was also quite handy with his tools.
In his later years, you would’ve seen Charles enjoy reading his western books, watching his favorite movies or tv shows and doing crossword puzzles. He absolutely loved being in the kitchen cooking his favorite meals or baking his favorite desserts.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Susan, his sons Ron (Julie), Mark, Charles Jr. (Rachel) & Thomas (Lydia), his daughters Cathy (Scott), Kathleen & Patricia, his grandchildren Luke, Noah, Malakai, Presley Grace, Sherry, Kira, Alysha, Allison, Sherry and 6 great grandchildren Kelvin, Kylee, Troy Jr., Julian, Serenity, and Joseph.
A memorial service will be held 4 pm THURSDAY, June 15th at La Paloma Funeral Chapel 5450 Stephanie St. Las Vegas, NV. The Interment and Honor Guard ceremony is scheduled the following day 8 am FRIDAY, June 16th at Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery 1900 Memorial Dr, Boulder City, NV 89005. To share a memory and send condolences visit the obituary page at https://lapalomafuneralservices.com/obituaries.
