Spencer Eugene Smith

Spencer Eugene Smith, 83, of Austin, TX went to be with his Lord on August 28, 2009. He was born to Ruth Oliver Smith and Robert Lee Smith, Sr. on November 27, 1925, in McComb, Mississippi. Gene is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan Young Smith, his daughter, Jana Lynne Smith Wilkins and husband, David Earle Wilkins; his daughter, Frances Sue Smith Allen and husband Douglas O'Neal Allen; his son, Stephen Emmett Smith and wife, Deborah Hawkins Smith; his grandchildren, Cameron Alan Allen and wife Selena, Spencer O'Neal Allen and wife Milissa Allen, Jared Douglas Allen, Charles Robert Wilkins, Hannah Lacey Smith, and Olivia Frances Smith; and two great grandsons, Brenden Xander Allen and Jackson Scott Allen. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his three brothers, Robert (Bob) Lee Smith, Jr., Larry (Jack) Jack Smith, and James (Jimmy) Oliver Smith. Gene was a graduate of McComb High School, Mississippi State University, and MIT Sloan School of Management, where he was a Sloan Fellow. He joined the Marine Corp in 1944 and served in the Pacific until 1946. His primary career was with NASA at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama and was a charter member of the Senior Executive Service of the USA. He worked on the Apollo, Saturn V, and shuttle programs and retired as Deputy Director of the Astrionics Lab. He was a supporting member of the NASA Alumni League. The future of space exploration was very important to Gene. A life-long Christian, Gene was an active church member and served as a deacon, a teacher, a missions volunteer, a hospital visitation volunteer, and wherever he saw a need. He cared deeply for his family, his church, and the many friends in his life. A celebration of Gene's life will take place at Highland Park Baptist Church in Austin, Texas at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2009. Memorial contributions may be made to the Missions Committee at Highland Park Baptist Church, 5206 Balcones Drive, Austin, Texas 78731. Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759, or Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607.