RW Ralph Wilbur Smith Jr

2013 at his residence surrounded by the love of his family. Born on February 16, 1933 in Baltimore County, Maryland, he was the son of the late Ralph Wilbur Smith and Mary Theresa Smith.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Elouise Case Harding and is survived by his loving wife Dorothy Harper Smith, brother Ronald Bruce Smith, children Catherine Smith Rogers, Jennifer Elaine Smith Lee, Sarah Ann Cooper, Ralph Wilbur Smith III and eight grandchildren.

He graduated high school and soloed in a J-3 Cub in 1949 beginning his love of flight. Receiving his Associate of Arts Degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1952 from Potomac State, he enlisted in the Navy in September of that same year. He was commissioned as an Ensign and designated a naval aviator in 1954. His first deployment was aboard the U.S.S Kearsarge in 1955. In December of 1958 he married the love of his life, Dotty. Ralph served multiple deployments throughout the Vietnam War aboard the U.S.S Shangria-la, Bom Homme Richard and Coral Sea. He held command and performed staff duty with the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic and Chief of Naval Operations. He retired as a Captain in January 1983 while serving at the Pentagon. He owned and operated a consulting business with the Navy for seven years, and taught in Fairfax County Adult Education for two years.

Ralph was continuously involved in advancing many community and national organizations through volunteering with FISH, FACETS, Meals On Wheels, The Lamb Center, YMCA Indian Guide Youth Program and numerous church activities. He was Commander of VFW Post 8469 in 2004/2005. He was an active member of the Quiet Birdmen, Silver Wings, American Legion, and Horological Association of Virginia (Potomac guild). He was raised a Master Mason in May of 1964 at the Orange Park Lodge No. 267 A. F. & A. M. in Florida and affiliated with Henry Lodge No. 57, A. F. & A. M. in Fairfax, VA in 1997 where he also served as Master in 2002. He became a member of the Scottish Rite in 1965 in Jacksonville, FL, the York Rite in 1974 in New Orleans, Khedive Shrine in 1977 in Norfolk, and the Kena Shrine in 2002 & Kena Hillbillys. He was affiliated with the Alexandria Consistory 2000, Invested KCCH 2005, Master of Kadosh for 2011, Coroneted 33° August 2011. He was a past president of the National Sojourners Chapter 364, a past Commander of the Light Horse Harry Lee Camp Heroes of ’76 and a member of Knight Masons and Allied Masonic Degrees.