Jerome E. Smith

Jerome E. Smith, age 75 of Fairborn, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 5, 2017. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Freddie L. Whitmore-Smith; son, Kelvonte` (Amanda) Smith; daughters: Etonia Collins and Kim’yetta Smith (Thomas) Legree; five grandchildren: Cass Legree, Quwana Legree Douglas, De’Zandrian Smith, Markese Smith, and Deslynn K. Smith; numerous great grandchildren, brother , James P. (Jim) Smith; three sisters: Geraldine McPhearson, Sarah Isabell Williams, and Barbara Galloway; three brothers in law: Robert (Tabitha) Whitmore, Charlie, and Dwayne (Chastity) Whitmore; two sisters in law: Gradis W. (Richard ) Broughton and Sylvia W. (Torrence) Sessoms; four special grands: Dylon, Roman, Austin, and Eli; many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, James Smith and Shirley Jackson and three brothers and sisters. Jerome was educated in the public schools of Cleveland, Ohio. He served eleven years in the United States Marine Corps, including two tours of duty in Vietnam. After leaving the Marines and enjoying many years of civilian life he enlisted in the United States Army. Jerome served more than twenty three years in the armed forces. He received numerous awards and citations including A Purple Heart during his second tour of duty in Vietnam. Other awards a d commendations include: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/3*, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/devise, Presidential Unit Citation, NDSM / VSM / RVNCH / CAR (1st Awd) (USMC), as well as a Good Conduct Medal (3dAwd). Jerome received an associate degree in Human Services with emphasis in Drug and Alcohol Counseling. He never met a stranger and enjoyed regaling family and friends with tales of his military experiences, as well as discussing current affairs on both national and international levels. Graveside services will be held at Dayton National Cemetery on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 11 am.