Fredrick Smith, age 67, passed on May 23, 2023.
The graveside service will be held at 12:00 P.M., Friday, June 30, 2023, at Andersonville National Cemetery, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia. The procession will leave at 11:30 A.M. from St. Paul AME Church, 114 Johnson Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.
Fredrick Marcellas Smith, lovingly known as (“Rick”) had a village of guardians who loved and adored him since his birth on April 7, 1956, in Oglethorpe, GA, to delighted parents Evelyn English and Johnny C. Smith.
At seven years old, Rick’s belief in God led him to be baptized at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Oglethorpe, GA, spiritually leading him until he was called home.
His abundance of support as well as his resolve to uphold his family traditions and hard work were catalysts for his personal and career achievements. In 1974, He graduated from Macon County High School, Montezuma, GA.
In August of 1977, Rick welcomed his first child, Ellen “Montez”. He then continued his education at Miami Dade Junior College in Miami, FL. During this time, Rick met his first wife, Cynthia and they welcomed two boys, Fred and Sherard.
Shortly after, Rick took an oath of commitment to join the United States Air Force on July 18, 1979, dedicating 20 years of service. He was specially trained as an aircraft maintenance craftsman for the F-16 Viper, one of the world’s most dominant fighter planes. Deployed overseas, he was stationed in Manila, Philippines, where he met his 2nd wife of 12 years Ellen Abana, August of 1987. They were blessed with two children, Erica and Ryan. His essential skills supported Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm missions during the Gulf War, he was justly awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Rick was more than a maintainer; he was a man whose unwavering faith and family support sustained him as he traveled the world during his military service. Rick experienced a sundry of cultures and befriending countless people who embodied different beliefs and ethnicities. On September 30, 1999, he honorably retired from the Air Force at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
Post-military life for Rick was quite satisfying. Eventually settling in lively, Las Vegas, Nevada. He attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology. And married his wife, Ofira Samir. Rick’s cheerfulness, easy demeanor, effortless smile and kindness never diminished over the years as he fathered and loved his children and family.
Preceded in death by his father and older brother, Johnny Smith Sr. and Jr. ("June").
He leaves behind, to forever cherish his memory his wife, Ofira Shamir-Smith; a loving mother, Evelyn Smith Bailey; brother, Terry Wayne Smith; step-brothers and sister, Cedric, Kendrick and Zorana, Miami, Fl; and children, Ellen “Montez” Smith (husband Alex), Atlanta, GA; Fredrick Smith, Jr. and Sherard Smith, Kentucky; Erica Smith-Thomas (husband Stephen), Texas; and Ryan Smith, Utah; step-children, Ron and Gilly Shamir; nine grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors.
The graveside service will be held at 12:00 P.M., Friday, June 30, 2023, at Andersonville National Cemetery, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia. The procession will leave at 11:30 A.M. from St. Paul AME Church, 114 Johnson Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.
Fredrick Marcellas Smith, lovingly known as (“Rick”) had a village of guardians who loved and adored him since his birth on April 7, 1956, in Oglethorpe, GA, to delighted parents Evelyn English and Johnny C. Smith.
At seven years old, Rick’s belief in God led him to be baptized at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Oglethorpe, GA, spiritually leading him until he was called home.
His abundance of support as well as his resolve to uphold his family traditions and hard work were catalysts for his personal and career achievements. In 1974, He graduated from Macon County High School, Montezuma, GA.
In August of 1977, Rick welcomed his first child, Ellen “Montez”. He then continued his education at Miami Dade Junior College in Miami, FL. During this time, Rick met his first wife, Cynthia and they welcomed two boys, Fred and Sherard.
Shortly after, Rick took an oath of commitment to join the United States Air Force on July 18, 1979, dedicating 20 years of service. He was specially trained as an aircraft maintenance craftsman for the F-16 Viper, one of the world’s most dominant fighter planes. Deployed overseas, he was stationed in Manila, Philippines, where he met his 2nd wife of 12 years Ellen Abana, August of 1987. They were blessed with two children, Erica and Ryan. His essential skills supported Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm missions during the Gulf War, he was justly awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Rick was more than a maintainer; he was a man whose unwavering faith and family support sustained him as he traveled the world during his military service. Rick experienced a sundry of cultures and befriending countless people who embodied different beliefs and ethnicities. On September 30, 1999, he honorably retired from the Air Force at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
Post-military life for Rick was quite satisfying. Eventually settling in lively, Las Vegas, Nevada. He attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology. And married his wife, Ofira Samir. Rick’s cheerfulness, easy demeanor, effortless smile and kindness never diminished over the years as he fathered and loved his children and family.
Preceded in death by his father and older brother, Johnny Smith Sr. and Jr. ("June").
He leaves behind, to forever cherish his memory his wife, Ofira Shamir-Smith; a loving mother, Evelyn Smith Bailey; brother, Terry Wayne Smith; step-brothers and sister, Cedric, Kendrick and Zorana, Miami, Fl; and children, Ellen “Montez” Smith (husband Alex), Atlanta, GA; Fredrick Smith, Jr. and Sherard Smith, Kentucky; Erica Smith-Thomas (husband Stephen), Texas; and Ryan Smith, Utah; step-children, Ron and Gilly Shamir; nine grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors.
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