Francis Patrick (Pat) Smith died February 18, 2018, he donated his body to KU Medical Center.
He was born October 29, 1923 in St. Mary’s Kansas, the son of John Patrick (JP) Smith and Leona M. Smith. He graduated from St. Mary’s high school and from O.C.S. U.S. Maritime school of Marine Engineering, New Long Conn. and was commissioned an ensign and a licensed marine engineer. Mr. Smith served in both the Atlantic and Pacific during WW II. He took part in the invasions of North Africa, Italy and France. He served again during the Berlin airlift. He worked for Santa Fe Railroad, General Motors and KPL. He retired from Kansas Power and Light in 1988 after 39 years. He was a volunteer with the Boy Scouts and Knights of Columbus. He married Florence C. Frey in Brooklyn, N.Y., she died June 9, 2016.
Survivors include sons, Thomas P. Smith, Portland, OR. and Lawrence E. Smith, Lawrence, KS , daughters, Joan E. Starks, and Mary C. Chaney both of Lawrence, KS., grandsons, Maxwell D. Smith, Portland, OR, H. Reed Starks, Lawrence, KS and granddaughter, Kelsey S. Myers and husband Brett, Lawrence, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers, William K. Smith, Donald J. Smith and sisters, Mary L. Merrill and Delores Schrader.
I worked with Pat as activities asst at Neuvant House for a year. I just found out about Pat’s death and was devastated by the news. He was one of my very favorite people with personality plus, a great smile, a hug every time he saw me (last time was after Christmas), stories he told me about his childhood, family, time during the war, and so many other things, including his beloved wife. He loved “Blue Bloods” more than just about anything! I will think of him always with a smile and a wish that I had only known him longer–and that I could still visit him at Neuvant. Rest in peace, my dear friend. I will miss you.
I worked with Pat as activities asst at Neuvant House for a year. I just found about Pat’s death and was devastated by the news. He was one of my very favorite people with personality plus, a great smile, a hug every time he saw me (last time was after Christmas), stories he told me about his childhood, family, time during the war, and so many other things. He loved “Blue Bloods” more than just about anything! I will think of him always with a smile and a wish that I had only known him longer. Rest in peace, my dear friend. I will miss you.
I’m so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Night descends as a falling blanket. The city is a constellation of lights, each one representing a hand that turned the lightbulb. A hand attached to a mind containing a universe of memories and myths; a natural history of loves and wounds.
Life everywhere. Pulsing, humming. A great wheel turning. A light blinks out here, one replaces it there. Always dying. Always living. We survive until we don’t.
All of this ending and beginning is the only thing that is infinite.