The Calvary family extends our love and sympathy to the family of John H. Smith, Jr., 89, who passed away peacefully early in the morning on Sunday, August 25, 2019, at home in Aurora, Colorado.
John was born March 27, 1930 in Selma, Alabama, to John H. Smith, Sr and Willie Mae (Harrison) Smith. He was a 1948 graduate of R.B. Hudson High School (formerly Knox Academy) and a 1953 graduate of Tuskegee University (formerly Tuskegee Institute). On May 17, 1953, John was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and married Mildred Hall at Tuskegee Institute. John retired as a Colonel from the USAF in November 1978.
While serving in the USAF, John received his B.S. in Business Administration Degree from the University of Alaska in 1959, an M.B.A. from West Texas State University in 1970, and another Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1972.
After retiring from the USAF, John was employed by Mountain Bell/U S WEST Communications (currently CenturyLink) beginning in 1978 and retired in 1992 where he held positions in Records Management, Procurement Auditing and Government and Education Sales. During his military and Telecommunications careers he taught a variety of classes at various institutions at the college level including University of Philippines, Metropolitan State University, University of Colorado at Denver, and Community College of Denver.
John was also active in the communities in which he lived. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church since 1970 and served on the Human Resources Committee and also as President and Travel Tour Director for the “Modern Matures” Ministry. He served as Chairman of the Board of Northeast Denver Housing Center, Basileus and Keeper of Finance for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity with over 60 years as a member, and a member of the Tuskegee Airman, Inc., Hubert L. “Hooks” Jones Chapter (where he served a Chapter President for over ten years and as Chapter Treasurer for about seven years).
John is survived by his loving wife, Mildred; his children, Cassandra Denise (Michael G.) Williams, Regina Persephony Smith, Michael Jonathan (Gina) Smith and Kenneth Bernard Smith; grandchildren, Matthew Alan Smith, Marcus Aaron (Carly E.) Smith and Jessica Ashley Smith; great grandchild Aubrey Belle Smith; sisters, Juanita (Leroy) Phillips, Marvarene (Thomas-deceased) Parker, Alma Jean Brazier, Dorothy Smith and several nieces, nephews and grands.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Caldwell-Kirk Funeral & Cremation Services (2101 N. Marion Street Denver, CO 80205). A Memorial Service to celebrate John’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary at Calvary Baptist Church of Denver (6500 E. Girard Ave. Denver, CO 80224). A Reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.
An Interment Service (Burial) with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 11:15 a.m. at Staging Area B at Fort Logan National Cemetery (3698 S Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80235).
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Gifts in John’s honor may be given to:
Calvary Baptist Church of Denver
On August 25, 2019, we lost Retired Lt. Col. John H. Smith — another beloved member of our family from the Sweed Peters branch of the Peters lineage. The following is a memorial tribute that was prepared during the period following John’s passing. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife, Mildred, with our sincere prayers.
- give online in honor of John here (choose “Memorial Gift” and type “John H. Smith, Jr.” in the memo line)
- give by mail in honor of John: Calvary Baptist Church of Denver, 6500 E. Girard Ave., Denver, CO 80224 (write “John H. Smith, Jr. Memorial Fund” in memo line of check)