Obituaries / LJWorld.com

Obituaries

Funeral services with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical and United States Air Force honors for Robert "Steve" Steven Smith, 50, Lecompton, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Mustard Seed Church, with the Rev. Paul Taylor, the fire department’s chaplain, and the Chaplains Rev. Tim Moulett and Capt. Ben Hayden officiating. Cremation is planned following the services.
Mr. Smith died Monday, March 21, 2011, at his home.
He was born Sept. 21, 1960, in Plattsburg, N.Y., the son of Robert Elmer and Anna Lois Hughes Smith. He graduated from high school in Sumpter, S.C.
He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1981 and later joined the U.S. Army before returning to the Air Force. He served during Operations Desert Storm, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn. He had attained the rank of senior master sergeant and was posthumously promoted to chief master sergeant. He was employed by the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical as an engineer and emergency medical technician, with 20 years of service. He enjoyed firearms and his quarter horse.
Survivors include two sons, Joshua, Ottawa, and Chance, Topeka; his parents, Osage City; a brother, Gary, Berryton; a sister, Lara Tauck, Ekalaka, Mont.; five grandchildren; and six nieces and nephews.
Friend may call from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The family will late receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the church, with honors provided by Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical.
The family suggests memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project, sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044
Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.