Charles W. Smith

SMITH, Charles Wesley. Beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend. Pre-deceased in 2000 by his loving wife of 51 years, Joann. Charles was a brilliant, caring, family man with a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (Servomechanisms) from North Carolina State University. Born and raised in Meadville, PA, Charles met Joann, the love of his life, when his sister Sarah purposely sent him to the local country store where Joann worked so he could meet her. After their marriage in 1949, Charles and Joann moved to North Carolina where he worked in the construction industry as a finish carpenter. Charles was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, serving in Korea on an intelligence assignment. After his service, Charles returned to North Carolina and enrolled in NC State under the G.I. Bill. After receiving his degree, Charles was hired by aerospace company Martin Marietta, then transferred to Bunker Ramo in Canoga Park, CA in 1964. Charles spent the remainder of his career in the aerospace industry in Canoga Park, retiring from Hughes Aircraft Company in 1993, where he was manager of advanced product development.

Charles is survived by his son Greg (LuAnn), his daughter Lynn Jones (Warren), his daughter Cam Allison, his granddaughter Kara, and his sister Kathryn Waterhout of St. Louis.

Charles had a lifelong love of woodworking and continued to create beautiful furniture and other pieces into his later years. He had a great sense of humor and always had a joke to tell. He kept in contact with friends, he loved animals, cars and auto racing and was an excellent cook, who regularly surprised his children with cooked, multi-course meals and baked goods on their doorsteps when they arrived home from work.

Charles was an exceptionally loving man who will be greatly missed by his family and by all who knew him.

A private, family service will be held for the burial.

A reception for the remembrance of Charles will be held on June 7 at 11:30 a.m. at the family home in West Hills. Friends and family are welcome.