Luther Dwight Smith

September 5th, 1924 - February 5th, 2014

Luther Dwight Smith, most called him Dwight, many called him Smitty, was a very kind man, always a smile, loved to tease and laugh, sharing his experiences in the service or in business. Always teaching or helping those who needed his help. Nothing was too much to ask, he was there.

Dwight was born 1924 in Yuba City, California, and lived in Sacramento until his parents moved to a little farming community, in Northern California called Live Oak where his Grandparents and several aunts and uncles had already settled from Oklahoma. Dwight was very close to his Grandfather, Luther, who bought him his first car and owned the local Motor Court, and Variety store in the middle of town. His Grandfather Wicker owned the local grocery store.

When the war broke out with Japan, Dwight and a friend volunteered to man the water tower at night on the lookout for Japanese airplanes. Shortly after, at the age of 17, Dwight entered the Army Air Core. He was in the middle of his senior year in high school, receiving his diploma and Track Letter while in boot camp, in Denver, Colorado.

He had wanted to be an architect; but, flying became his passion. Each Aeronautical College he attended or Air Base he was sent to he learned how to fly a different airplane. From Boot camp in Denver to Hancock field in Santa Maria, California to Macalister College, Texas, Tennessee, St. Louis, and more - bi-planes, Steerman's, B17's, B24's, B52 Bombers. He was one of the first men to graduate from Pensacola Air Base in Florida. Dwight never ended up going to war, he left active service a Second Lieutenant entering the reserves and flying one weekend a month. His children will never forget the thrill of waving to their father's airplane as it flew over their home in Sacramento, dipping his wings hello. Dwight left the Air force Reserves a Captain, having spent 20 years in the Air Force as a multi-engine pilot.

Dwight met Marguerite, "Margie", when he was stationed at Santa Maria, CA. They met at a roller rink and fell in love. Life moved quickly at that time ...it was October of 1945. Margie's father, put the young couple on a Greyhound bus bound for Las Vegas where they were married. Leaving Southern California to his grandfather's Motor Court in Live Oak, California and finally settling in a new home in Sacramento where they raised their three children.

Fishing, hunting, gardening and camping on the weekends or a trip to the Ranch in Live Oak, as long as he was outside with his family he was happy. Many days fishing for Steelhead Salmon on the Feather River in his father boat, catching salmon so big they spilled over the ends of his mother's bathtub.

Dwight work for the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company in Sacramento for 25 years. Upon leaving Pepsi Cola he and Margie moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, his new territory for The Dickie Company, selling work cloths. To Dwight's good fortune work pants and coveralls became a fashion statement for the young people of the Bay Area. Which lead to a very successful career.

Dwight and Margie left the Bay Area to retire to the warm sun of Southern California and to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They jumped right into their new life of retirement. Dwight became the President of the HOA, performing with his buddies in the talent shows and walking in the 4th of July Parades. They enjoyed traveling in their motor home, camping and visiting with friends and family. Until Margie became ill and passed away in 1998.

While living at Casablanca Villa, Dwight and Marguerite became friends with Donna Drake. Dwight and Donna married on Valentine's Day, 1999 at Laughlin, NV. Dwight and Donna were approaching their 15th anniversary at the time of his passing. Dwight took over the role as father to her three children, and grandfather to Donna's grandchildren. Dwight and Donna enjoyed traveling, visiting Donna's friends and family in Indiana, and on to Mangum and Reed, Oklahoma to explore Dwight's family roots. For a number of years, they were active members of the historic Winchester Community United Methodist Church, and Dwight enjoyed remodeling part of Brown Memorial fellowship hall. In 2006, Dwight and Donna became members of Sun City United Methodist Church.

Dwight leaves a wonderful legacy with his military service, his vocation and devotion to his family. He was the loving father of three, grandfather to nine and great grandfather to fourteen as well as Donna's three children and three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. We are all blessed with many wonderful memories.