Alvin Joe Smith

Alvin is survived by his wife Veronica (Vera); his sons, Vaughan (June), Michael, Vincent and daughter Karen (Lauren Kennedy).Grand children; Darrin, Ariel, Jordan, Erica, Selina, Briana, Nicholas and Miles.Bonus Grandchildren; Dwayne, Andrew, Noah and Jamila.Great Grandchildren: Ian, Juliana, Nuri, Nor and Xavier.Bonus Great Grandchildren; Mel, Elijah, Sammy and Jasmine And a host of nieces and nephews.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents Toby and Marzella; his siblings Joseph, Ruby

(Roscoe), Bertha (Oscar), Homer (Glodine), Sallie (Eugene), Sweetie (Leroy), Odis (Evelyn), T.B

(Evelyn), Jim (Madge), Cecil (Mary), Chat (Evelyn), his grand daughter Amanda.

Alvin was a Native of Streetman Texas where he attended Dogan High School, he graduated in

1953. After hight school he attended Huston Tillison College until enlisting in the United States

Air Force, February 4, 1954. Alvin completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base.

Alvin was stationed at Burtonwood Air Base in England where he met Veronica. He was

transferred to Chateauroux-Deols Air Base in France. Alvin and Veronica maintained their

relationship and married May 4, 1957, they stayed in France until early 1958. From there Alvin

was transferred to Castle Air Force Base near Merced California. Alvin and Vera welcome their

three sons while stationed at Castle Air Force Base. Alvin was also stationed at George Air

Force Base near Victorville California, where Alvin and Vera welcomed their daughter.

Being in the Air Force afforded Alvin the opportunity travel around the world and see other

places, such as Alaska, Hawaii, Korea and Germany. Alvin reenlisted numerous times and

retired from the Air Force while stationed at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas Nevada in

1976.

After retiring from the Air Force Alvin moved to Rialto California where he lived until his passing.

Alvin worked for the City of Redlands for a short time before becoming a mail carrier with the

United States Post Office in 1978, he retired from the USPS in 1998.

Alvin enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family. He would take many fishing trips with

his friends and sons. While working for the post office, on his day off, Alvin would spend the

day fishing at Silverwood Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest. It did not matter if he

caught any fish, he just enjoyed the outing. He seemed to come empty handed more often

than not. Alvin really enjoyed spending time with his family and friends especially when his

siblings were still around. Alvin and Vera would host get togethers for family and friends with

friendly card games and good food. If there was a family get together during the summer Alvin

would get his “old fashioned hand crank” ice cream freezer out where he would get the “kids”

to turn the crank before anyone could eat the ice cream. You could also find Alvin sharing his

experiences and times about life growing up on a working farm in Texas and the chores he was

responsible for. He would also share the story of the time that he accidentally set a train trestle

on fire at the age of 6 or 7. Alvin also enjoyed watching old Western movies and talking politics

on the phone with his friends and brothers.

Alvin never met a stranger and always had a kind word.

Alvin was a faithful member of Traditional Community Fellowship Chapel. He was baptized

July 13, 2008