Kelley Clay Smith

Kelley was born on July 19, 1943, in Ottumwa, Iowa, and grew up in the small town of Floris. He graduated from Davis County High School in Bloomfield, Iowa, before attending the University of Iowa, where he earned a BBA in Labor & Management in 1965 and an MA in Industrial Relations in 1967.

On September 10, 1965, Kelley married his beloved wife, Launa (Tharp) Smith, with whom he shared 60 years of devoted marriage.

Kelley joined Army ROTC during his time at the University of Iowa and entered active duty in Washington, D.C., serving at the Pentagon from July 1967 to July 1969. He continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1969 to 1990 and was called to active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm from November 1990 to May 1991, serving in Saudi Arabia. Over more than 25 years of military service, he achieved the rank of Colonel.

In his professional life, Kelley worked in Illinois for Vapor Corporation, Brunswick Corporation, and later for the United States Department of Labor. He was an avid sports enthusiast and a loyal supporter of all University of Iowa Hawkeye athletics. He also gave generously of his time through civic and community involvement.

Above all, Kelley placed his faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He and Launa were faithful and active members of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church. His family takes comfort in knowing he is now at home with the Lord and that, as believers, they will one day share in that blessed eternity.

Kelley was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Clay Smith and Esther (Reno) Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Launa; and their three children:

Gregory Smith and his wife, Arlynne (Fernandez) Smith, of Palatine, Illinois, and their son, Evan; Mark Smith and his wife, Eunyi (Koh) Smith, of Huntington Woods, Michigan, and their daughters, Claire (Zachary Pozsar) and Holly (Tyler Van Doornik); Rebecca (Smith) Storckman and her husband, Steven Storckman, of Round Lake, Illinois, and their children, Charlotte and Kurt. Kelley is also survived by his sister, Carrie (Smith) Crane, and her husband, Mike Crane, as well as by many loving nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Service Details

• Visitation: Sunday, January 4, from 1:00–5:00 p.m. at Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights, Illinois.

• Additional Visitation: Monday, January 5, at 10:00 a.m., also at Glueckert Funeral Home.

• Funeral Service: Monday, January 5, at 11:00 a.m., at Glueckert Funeral Home.

• Burial: Monday, January 5, at 2:00 p.m., at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Memorial donations may be made to Open the Bible, P.O. Box 3454, Barrington, IL 60011, or at openthebible.org.