Dick Smith Obituary

Dick Harold Smith MT. PLEASANT - Dick Harold Smith departed this earthly life to live with our Lord, December 28, 2018, 97 years old. He began life in Arco, Idaho, with his mother Alice M. Moore, three months after the accidental death of his father, Warren David Smith, age 26. The union of his father and mother, was blessed with two previous children, Warren Robert, age 4 and Adelaide Emma, age 2. At an early age, he, with mother, brother and sister, moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and subsequently to Reno, NV, Long Beach, CA, Denver, CO and Atlanta, GA (Great Depression years). Other than WWII, Atlanta was home for 43 years. On January 19, 1942, he enlisted in the U S Navy and subsequently became a Naval Aviator. His squadron had duty flying protective surveillance off the California coast, while many Nations gathered together in San Francisco to meet, and unite, as The United Nations. His final duty was Anti Submarine Warfare, in the Aleutian Islands. After separation from active duty and while attending Western Reserve University, he was a lead pilot in the formation of the first Naval Reserve Squadron, at NAS Port Columbus, OH. Upon returning to Atlanta, he finished formal education at Woodrow Wilson College of Law. Later he began his career at the Citizens and Southern Bank of Georgia. There, he was involved in early development of one of the first Bank Credit Cards, the Bank Credit Card system, design of the program, the magnetic strip and security, national and international acceptance of credit cards, and development of ATM's. He retired in 1981, moved to South Portland, ME and married Ella Leeman. He was preceded in death by Ella, his parents, his brother Lt. Warren who, while with Merrill's Marauders was KIA behind Japanese lines, Burma, his sister Adelaide, Rancho Murietta, CA. He is survived by his son by Fay Green Smith, Christopher Bruce Smith and wife Lynn Smith of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and a niece, Shirley Smith, Plano TX. Memorial Service at East Cooper Baptist Church. Monday Jan. 21 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, contributions to East Cooper Baptist Church. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston