Wayne Ronald Smith

Wayne Ronald Smith of Waldorf, Maryland, died on October 13, 2014 at Genesis Healthcare Center in La Plata, MD. He was 84 years old. Born on March 20, 1930 in Sac City, Iowa, he was the son of the late Mabel Sneering Smith and the late George W. Smith. Mr. Smith enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1947 and went to Boot Camp in San Diego, CA, then to Electronics Technician “A” School at Treasure Island in San Francisco. He was assigned to the USS Saint Paul in 1949 and was sent to Korea in 1950. He was Honorably Discharged in 1951. Upon his discharge from active duty, Mr. Smith worked on Government Contracts at the University of Denver. The Colorado and Southern Railroad company trained him as a railroad telegrapher and station agent, from 1954 to 1956. In 1956, he re-enlisted and was attached to Lorac Support Team 4, homeport at Treasure Island and later assigned to the Lorac Support Team 7 in Honolulu, HI. In 1959, he attended Submarine School and Basic Nuclear Power Engineering Course in New London, CT as well as Prototype Training in Windsor, CT. He was then accepted in the Limited Duty Officer (LOD) Program in 1961. He received a direct commission and remained in the Nuclear Power Training until Admiral Hyman Rickover decided in 1964 that the LDO Program was no longer needed. For the next nine years, Mr. Smith served as an Electronics Officer at NAVCOMMSTA, Iceland, then as a Plans Officer at NAVCOMMSTA in Washington, DC near Andrews AFB, MD, in the Philippines and back in Washington, DC. His last tour was in Antarctica as a Communications Officer for NAVSUP. He retired from the Navy in October of 1973 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After his naval career, he worked for Validity Inc. on communications projects. He also attended Benjamin Franklin University for his degree in Accounting. He became a Certified Public Accountant and co-owned Smith and Brewer Accounting Firm in Waldorf. Mr. Smith was a Life Member of the Military Officers Association of America since 1988 and Charter Member of the General William Smallwood Chapter of MOAA Charter Member where he served as Chapter President for four years and Treasurer for 16 years. He also served as President of the Maryland Council of Chapters. He was a Life Member of American Legion Post 293, a member of the VFW Post 8810, the Korean War War Veterans Association, the La Plata Lions Club (for 33 years / 1978-2011), and served as Treasurer of the Maryland Veterans Memorial Museum in Charles County. His served the Charles County Fair as the Assistant Superintendent in the Tobacco and Garden Building. Mr. Smith was a member of the Southern Maryland Antique Power Association, owning several John Deere tractors. He would participate in Tractor Pulls in St. Mary’s County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Wayne R. Smith Jr. and his grandson Ryan Davis. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Phyllis B. Smith; his children Peggy Coons, Bill Davis and his wife Deborah, John Davis and his wife Barbara; his sisters Marie Ramstad, Shirley Kitsmiller, and Mavis Sams; his brother Darrell Smith; his grandchildren Bonnie Smith, Brian Coons, Gregory Coons, Kevin Davis, Allison Sellick and Lauren Davis; his great grandchildren Andrew Rosas, Jacob Coons, Hunter Coons, Connor Coons, Alexander Davis, Connor Sellick, Emmy Rose Sellick, and Leah Smith. Visitation on Sunday, October 26, 2014 from 2PM to 5PM at the Raymond Funeral Service, P.A. 5635 Washington Avenue La Plata, MD. 20646 where Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 27, 2014 beginning at 11AM. Interment to follow at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers may be made to Maryland Veterans Memorial Museum, PO Box 2123, La Plata, MD 20646 or to Lions Club Camp Merrick, PO Box 56, Nanjemoy, MD 20662.

Wayne Ronald Smith

March 20, 1930 - October 13, 2014