Carl Bennett Smith

Carl lived in Boone County most of his life as did his father, Jim Carl Smith, his grandfather Tom Brownlee Smith, his great grandfather Jim Smith and his great-great grandfather Jesse Moon.

Carl was born to Jim Carl Smith and Vera G. (Bennett) Smith in Columbia, Mo. He attended Columbia Public Schools and graduated from Hickman High School in 1965. In 1966, while a student at the University of Missouri, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, during the height of the Vietnam War. He served a one year tour of duty in Vietnam with Marine Corps Infantry companies as a Field Radio Operator and was in one of the harshest battles of the war, the battle of Hue City. He served on active and reserve duty for six years. He received numerous combat decorations including a Presidential Unit Commendation, two South Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses, Combat Infantry badges, and numerous awards. He received the Purple Heart award for wounds received in combat action against enemy forces during Operation Auburn. He always said he was proud to know the men he served with, he called them heroes.

Carl was an insurance adjustor and later a residential/commercial construction contractor in Columbia.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Jim Carl and Vera Smith, and his mother-in-law Freda Beasley of Columbia, Mo.

He is survived by his best friend and love of his life, Ann Beasley, and two sons of the home, Benjamin Michael Whitehorse Smith (“Ben Boy”) and Ian Thomas Walker Smith (“Little Buck”). He has older children from previous marriages, Lisa Kay Schnipke (Bill), Matthew Smith, Amber Roberts (Scotty) and two grandchildren, Maddie and Dalton Roberts. Also surviving is his “brother” Michael Barnes of New Orleans.

Carl was a member of the American Legion, the Military Assistance League of Columbia, life member of the Marine Corps League, and life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He was also a member of the Crone’s Club of New Orleans. He enjoyed his morning coffee club where he said he learned many things from engineers, businessmen, professors, and ministers, but he said he could never determine which things he heard were fact or fiction, which was fine as he could give as good as he got.

He was proud of his Cherokee heritage and kept his medicine bag close at hand. He enjoyed his many friends and business partners immensely. He also enjoyed flower gardening, MU football and just walking. He enjoyed watching Ben play baseball and all the after school conversations with Ian.

Carl will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, and will receive full military honors with a squad of active duty Marines.

Semper Fidelis (always faithful) Carl.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday December 21, 2016, at 2 p.m. with Reception following at Rockbridge Church of God.

Memorial contributions may be sent in Carl’s honor to: Central Missouri Honor Flight, 1400 Forum Blvd., Ste. 1-C, Box 334, Columbia, MO 65203. www.centralmissourihonorflight.com