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.
