Lt. Smith

aligncenterRetired Lt. Col. Gordon Kenneth Smith passed away Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, in San Antonio. He was born July 2, 1915, in Waukesha, Wis. Gordon earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Wisconsin and then entered the U.S. Army as a 2nd lieutenant in 1938 at Fort Sheridan, Ill., joining the Paratroopers in 1940 and earning his Master Wings in 1950. He was the last surviving member of the Original 82nd Airborne 507th PIR Command. His principal assignments were platoon leader, 501st PB, S-4, 507th PIR, chief of training group, ABN Department at The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga., BN CO, Regimental XO and CO of the 325th AIR, Fort Bragg, N.C., Regimental XO and CO of the 511th PIR, Fort Campbell, Ky. He was an advisor to the Venezuelan Parachute BN in Maracay, had a tour of duty in Korea and several in Panama. As a major in the 507th PIR he jumped into Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, was wounded and captured and later served in Korea. His last assignment was chief instructor of ROTC at LSU. Among his many awards and decorations Gordon received were the French Legion d'honneur, Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf clusters, Purple Heart Medal, two Combat Infantry Badges and the French Croix du Guerre with Gold Star. Gordon was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, 507th PIR Association, 11th Airborne Division Association, The Retired Officers Association, Oflag 64 Association, Airborne Static Line, VFW, American Legion, Grand Lodge of Georgia, Wisconsin Alumni Association, Century Club and Civitan Service Club in Baton Rouge. After 30 years of military service, he lobbied for The Beer Industry League of Louisiana and later worked as a management specialist for the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Resources. His activities included golfing, gardening, cooking and travel. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Martha LeBleu Smith; and his parents, Edwin and Jennie Lewis Smith. Survivors include daughters, Sandra Rodgers, of Spring Branch, Texas, and Margo and husband Larry Shallcross, of Bulverde, Texas; son, Mark and wife Susie Gazaway Smith, of Baton Rouge; and daughter, Jilray and husband Dominique Launay, of Keller, Texas, and La Fiere, France. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristopher Kienzle and wife Shellie, Kimberleigh Gratehouse, Martha Griffin and husband Doug, Dr. Tannetje' Crocker and husband Shane, Amanda McDaniel and husband Brandon, Jessica Mayeux, Nicole Shallcross, Corey Mayeux, Taylor Smith and Alexis Smith; and great-grandchildren, Kade Kienzle, Lindsey and Payton Gratehouse, Ryan and Garrett Griffin, Trenton and Haley McDaniel. A memorial service will be held at the Spring Hill Event Center, 2455 Celebration Drive, San Antonio, on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m. Visitation at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, on Monday, Oct. 5, from 1 p.m. until Masonic service at 1:30 p.m. with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Monday, October 5, 2009
1pm

Service

Masonic Service

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Monday, October 5, 2009
1:30pm

Memorial Service

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Monday, October 5, 2009
2pm

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory Mausoleum
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816

Memorial Contributions

PO Box 14301
Cincinnati, OH  45250-0301