Joe Edwards Smith, age 87, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Wallace County Community Care Center in Sharon Springs, Kansas. Joe was born August 29, 1927 in Scott City, Kansas, the third child of A.E. & Margaret ( Murphy ) Smith. Joe attended primary school at Greeley County Elementary and graduated from Kemper Military School at Booneville, Missouri in 1945. In June of 1945, Joe enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in Subic Bay, Philippines as a motor machinist mate. He then attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado and graduating in 1950 from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry.
Joe was a member of the United Methodist Church and a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post 7521 in Tribune, Kansas. He was also a 65-year member of the Anthem Masonic Lodge # 284 in Scott City, Kansas, Isis Shrine Club in Salina, Kansas, the Scottish Rite in Wichita, Kansas and the York Rite of Goodland, Kansas.
Joe was a lifelong farmer and rancher in Greeley County, Kansas. He was a 60-year plus member of the Kansas Livestock Association and a lifetime member of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association.
On June 17, 1951 he and the former Joan Ray married in Doon, Iowa. They returned to Tribune to work the family farm along with his brothers until 1995 and then in a farming partnership with his sons. Joe and Joan raised four sons and therefore became very involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He and his sons attended camps and jamborees, including trips to Japan, and together completed requirements for badges and thus earned the rank of Eagle Scout with all four boys. Joe was past president of the Santa Fe Trail Council in Garden City, Kansas and a lifetime board member of the National Boy Scouts. He received the Silver Beaver, the Silver Antelope and was a member of the Vigil of the Order of the Arrow.
Joe’s biggest passion was flying his Cessna Twin 310. He logged over 3000 flight hours during his time as “Airplane Joe”. He and Joan were avid travelers and visited many domestic and international destinations through Joe’s membership with Kansas Livestock Association.
Joe’s surviving family includes
His wife-
Joan Smith - Sharon Springs, Kansas
Four sons-
Mark & Cindy Smith- Wallace, Kansas
Brett & Carol Smith- Frederick, Colorado
A. Bradford & Jennifer Smith- Sharon Springs, Kansas
Ray Smith- Sharon Springs, Kansas
Two siblings-
Don & Jeri Smith- Tribune, Kansas
Myra S. Hyde- Amarillo, Texas
Eleven grandchildren-
Angela Smith- Sharon Springs, Kansas
Valerie & Oscar Smith-Rivera- Wallace, Kansas
Meghan & Matthew Smith-Ghiloni- Erie, Colorado
Andy & Valerie Sweet- Aurora, Colorado
Ben Sweet- Erie, Colorado
Preston Smith- Sherman, Texas
Alicia Smith- Tribune, Kansas
Nick Smith- Hays, Kansas
Lindy Smith- Sterling, Kansas
Taylor Sprinkle- Colorado Springs, Colorado
Corbin Smith- Sharon Springs, Kansas
Four Great Grandchildren-
Natalie Sweet- Aurora, Colorado
Ryan Sweet- Aurora, Colorado
Ashlynn Ghiloni- Erie, Colorado
Aiden Ghiloni- Erie, Colorado
His parents, a brother, Bob Smith and a daughter-in-law , Lauri Smith preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. ( MST ) Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Tribune, Kansas with the Reverend Paul McNall officiating.
Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery with Masonic Rites and Full Military Honors.
Friends may call from noon until 8:00 pm Thursday and from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to the Santa Fe Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America or Greeley County Library in care of
Price & Sons Funeral Home
PO 301
Tribune, Kansas 67879
