Melvin "Reed" Smith

Melvin Reed Smith, 87, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away Thursday, July 16, 2020. He was born on a farm in Clatonia, Nebraska, the youngest of six children. His father passed when Reed was just 9 years old.

As a youngster, Reed watched the WWII airplanes fly over and dreamed of becoming a pilot one day. After graduating from Clatonia High, he entered the University of Nebraska where he became a member of the Air Force ROTC. He attended college for two years until he had enough credit to be accepted into the U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadet Program in 1953. He graduated in 1955 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

Upon being commissioned, Reed and his wife, Alice, who was his high school sweetheart, and their 2-month-old baby, Steve, traveled to Sacramento, California for his first of many duty assignments. Melissa was born in 1958 shortly before Reed was transferred to San Antonio for training in the KC-97 refueling aircraft. Later, he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana for five years. Son, Mark was born during this time.

Reed completed his undergraduate degree at University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1963. Still in SAC, he was assigned to the General’s staff as his personal pilot and was then reassigned to Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan where son Todd was born in 1965. That same year, Reed was selected to attend the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia.

In 1966, Reed was transferred to Germany where he flew several different surveillance aircraft over the communist borders during the Cold War. He also completed his Master’s Degree in Aerospace Management with University of Southern California while he was stationed in Germany. After three years in Germany, he was reassigned to C-130 training and then was sent to Vietnam for two years, where he airlifted troops and supplies in the war zone.

Upon his return, Reed was selected to attend the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama. He was then assigned to Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia where he was Commander of the Air Lift Division in the Tactical Air Command of the Air Force.

After much time spent away from his family during his career, in 1973, he accepted an assignment at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa as Commandant of the Air Force ROTC. He was subsequently selected as Commandant of the entire Southeast United States and Puerto Rico ROTC and Junior ROTC schools. He served in this position for five years, during which he was stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

The last two years of his career, Reed was Commander of the Air Force Extension Course Institute, a branch of Air University Headquarters. He retired as a full Colonel and was awarded many honors for meritorious service during his 33-year career in the Air Force.

After his retirement, Reed and Alice spent time traveling. They also enjoyed spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In 2001, a last move was made to Helena, Alabama to be closer to the children and grandchildren.

Reed was a dedicated member of Helena United Methodist Church. Throughout his life, he enjoyed hunting, gardening, and watching University of Alabama football.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, the former Alice Lou Anne Swoboda; four children, Steven (Betty), Melissa (David), Mark (Kendelea), and Todd (Sarita); 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Reed is much loved and missed by all.

The family will greet friends from 9-10 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2020 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama. The visitation will be immediately followed by A Service of Remembrance for Reed at 10 a.m. at Ridout's Southern Heritage Chapel, Pelham, and the gravesite committal service will be at 11:45 a.m. at Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo. Rev. Ted Leach will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be directed to Helena United Methodist Church in Helena, Alabama, in Reed Smith’s honor.