Archie "A.A." Albert Smith

Archie “A.A.” Albert Smith of Kansas City, Kansas, passed from this life on April 6, 2014. A graveside service will be held Monday, April 14th at 11:00 AM at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to The American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231.

Archie was born in Alida, Kansas November 19, 1923, to Shellis and Marie Dorothy Ericksen Smith, he lived on a farm with his mother until they moved to Junction City. He attended Country School and one year of high school He quit school to help support his mother.

Archie met his wife Virginia Schmitt at a country dance and dated for 9 years until they had enough money to buy a house and furnishings. They were married February 11, 1957. Archie began working for the Union Pacific Railroad at the age of 18 as a section hand and switchman. He retired in 1982 after 42 years. He has been a member of the United Transportation Union Local #1408 for over 65 years.

Archie served in World War II from 1943 to 1945 in the European Theatre, landing at Normandy Beach and fought through France, Belgium and Germany in five campaigns. He was an honor guard to President Truman on his way to the Potsdam Conference near Berlin to meet with Churchill and Stalin.

He enjoyed traveling with his family, fishing and hunting with his father-in-law Leo Schmitt. He was active in Boy Scout, Campfire and 4-H with his children.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Bessie Smith, Helen Breen and Minnie Rowe and brothers Chester, Melvin and Ray. He is survived by his wife, Virginia of the home; daughter, Kathryn Warkins and husband Tim of Paola, Kansas; son, Eldon Smith of Atlanta, Georgia; grandson, Seth Warkins and sister-in-law, Nellie Smith of Junction City, Kansas.