Roll Call Tribute
Ernest "Lee" Smith Jr. '78 June 19, 2018 1:28 PM updated: June 19, 2018 1:32 PM
Hopewell Memorial Gardens obituary
6005 County Road 39 South
Plant City, FL 33567
Telephone: (813) 737-3128
Email: info@hopewellfuneral.com
Website: www.hopewellfuneral.com
Mr. Ernest Leon "Lee" Smith Jr.
September 22, 1956 - June 9, 2018
LTC(R) Ernest Leon “Lee” Smith, Jr., U.S. Army, 61, of Plant City, Florida, born in Shreveport, Louisiana on September 22, 1956, entered into eternal rest on June 9, 2018. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University, and his Master of Science Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.
His numerous command and staff positions included Rifle Platoon Leader, Weapons Platoon Leader, and Company Executive Officer in the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division; Detachment Commander (SFODA 112 and SFODA 114) and Assistant S-3, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group in Okinawa, Japan; Commander, Company A, 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and Infantry/Special Forces Observer/Controller, Joint Readiness Training Center; Commander , Company A, and Battalion Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group in Fort Lewis, Washington; Senior Special Operations Forces Obsever/Controller, Joint Readiness Training Center Chief, Counterproliferation Branch and Deputy, Policy and Strategy Division at US Special Operations Command. His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Ranger and Special Forces Tabs, the Master Parachutist Bade, the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, and numerous Foreign Jump Wings.
He loved his family, and enjoyed golfing, fishing, and hunting. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Patricia Smith; daughters, Lisa Smith of Plant City, and Stephanie “Nick” Smith of Plant City; siblings, Ron Smith (Joan) of Brenham, Texas, Jill Tatum (Bill) of Ruston, Louisiana, and Dan Smith (Edna) of Ruston; sisters-in-law, Ginny Williams (Larry) of Cumming, Georgia, Donna Hines (Colin) of Plant City, and Maria Cira (Mike) of Alpharetta, Georgia; and nieces and nephews, Kathlena, Jonathan, Karen, Marcy, Scott, Elyse, Brian, Greg, Patrick, Kristina, Matthew, and Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mary Calvin Smith. A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 16 at 3:00 P.M. at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 S County Road 39, Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 P.M. Military Honors to be held Monday, June 18 at 10:30 A.M. at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, specialops.org/ways-to-give/, and/or the Gary Sinise Foundation, garysinisefoundation.org/donate. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Visitation
JUN 16. 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Hopewell Funeral Home
6005 County Road 39 South
Plant City, FL, US, 33567
info@hopewellfuneral.com
http://www.hopewellfuneral.com
Service
JUN 16. 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Hopewell Funeral Home
6005 County Road 39 South
Plant City, FL, US, 33567
info@hopewellfuneral.com
http://www.hopewellfuneral.com
Graveside
JUN 18. 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Florida National Cemetery
Bushnell, FL, US
Cemetery Details
Florida National Cemetery
Bushnell, FL,
6005 County Road 39 South
Plant City, FL 33567
Telephone: (813) 737-3128
Email: info@hopewellfuneral.com
Website: www.hopewellfuneral.com
Mr. Ernest Leon "Lee" Smith Jr.
September 22, 1956 - June 9, 2018
LTC(R) Ernest Leon “Lee” Smith, Jr., U.S. Army, 61, of Plant City, Florida, born in Shreveport, Louisiana on September 22, 1956, entered into eternal rest on June 9, 2018. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University, and his Master of Science Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.
His numerous command and staff positions included Rifle Platoon Leader, Weapons Platoon Leader, and Company Executive Officer in the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division; Detachment Commander (SFODA 112 and SFODA 114) and Assistant S-3, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group in Okinawa, Japan; Commander, Company A, 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and Infantry/Special Forces Observer/Controller, Joint Readiness Training Center; Commander , Company A, and Battalion Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group in Fort Lewis, Washington; Senior Special Operations Forces Obsever/Controller, Joint Readiness Training Center Chief, Counterproliferation Branch and Deputy, Policy and Strategy Division at US Special Operations Command. His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Ranger and Special Forces Tabs, the Master Parachutist Bade, the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, and numerous Foreign Jump Wings.
He loved his family, and enjoyed golfing, fishing, and hunting. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Patricia Smith; daughters, Lisa Smith of Plant City, and Stephanie “Nick” Smith of Plant City; siblings, Ron Smith (Joan) of Brenham, Texas, Jill Tatum (Bill) of Ruston, Louisiana, and Dan Smith (Edna) of Ruston; sisters-in-law, Ginny Williams (Larry) of Cumming, Georgia, Donna Hines (Colin) of Plant City, and Maria Cira (Mike) of Alpharetta, Georgia; and nieces and nephews, Kathlena, Jonathan, Karen, Marcy, Scott, Elyse, Brian, Greg, Patrick, Kristina, Matthew, and Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mary Calvin Smith. A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 16 at 3:00 P.M. at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 S County Road 39, Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 P.M. Military Honors to be held Monday, June 18 at 10:30 A.M. at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, specialops.org/ways-to-give/, and/or the Gary Sinise Foundation, garysinisefoundation.org/donate. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Visitation
JUN 16. 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Hopewell Funeral Home
6005 County Road 39 South
Plant City, FL, US, 33567
info@hopewellfuneral.com
http://www.hopewellfuneral.com
Service
JUN 16. 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Hopewell Funeral Home
6005 County Road 39 South
Plant City, FL, US, 33567
info@hopewellfuneral.com
http://www.hopewellfuneral.com
Graveside
JUN 18. 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Florida National Cemetery
Bushnell, FL, US
Cemetery Details
Florida National Cemetery
Bushnell, FL,
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
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