Robert G. Smith Sr. (Bob)

US Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, Robert G. Smith, Sr. (Bob), of Denton, TX and Memphis, TN was called to his Final Duty Station on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

Bob was born on November 08, 1936 in Aubrey, TX, and raised in Denton, TX. While attending Denton High School and Decatur Baptist Jr. College, he worked at Ford Motor Company in Dallas before answering the call to serve in the Texas National Guard and the U.S. Navy.

As a decorated Naval Officer, he served in San Diego, Iceland, Millington, Honolulu, and Guantanamo Bay, with tour stops in Hong Kong and Tokyo while on board aircraft carriers USS Ticonderoga and USS Shangri-la. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and numerous Commendations.

In 1957, while serving at Millington Naval Air Station as an Avionics Instructor, he met the girl of his dreams, Nancy Carol McKenzie, and three weeks later they were married. He retired from the Navy after twenty three years and taught avionics at State Tech and Memphis State University before beginning his twenty year career at Federal Express.

Bob is a man of great honor and is known for his contagious sense of humor, dedication, and generosity. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty five years, Nancy Carol Smith; three sons, Robert G. Smith, Jr., Douglas A. Smith, and Rodney W. Smith (Peggy); five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023 from 12:00pm - 2:00pm, followed by the Funeral Service at 2:00pm, interment will immediately follow. All services will be held at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 290 Goodman Road East, Southaven, MS, 39671.