John Smith

October 2, 1922 - January 16, 2016

John Smith of Benicia, CA was born on October 2, 1922 in Vicksburg, Mississippi to Wade and Josephine Smith. He passed away peacefully on January 16, 2016 at the Martinez Convalescent Hospital, CA at the age of 93. He is survived by his children Freddie Smith (Helen), Jerlean Williams, Kathlean Kizziee, Glenda Smith, Alfreda Cubit (Charles) and Vera Arellano (Joseph). He is survived by eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Lucille Smith, his son, Otis Warner, and three grandchildren, Endre McDowell, Jonathan James Williams and Charice Lucas. He was drafted by the United States Army in 1942 and from 1943-1945, he was stationed in the South Pacific as a longshoreman. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and received the Asiatic-Pacific Technical Operations medal, Good Conduct medal and World War II Victory medal. He met Lucille Morris in Mississippi and they married in Warren County in 1949. They moved to Benicia, California where they raised their children. John’s oldest son, Otis, lived in Arkansas and spent quality time with the Smith family in Benicia. John and Lucille were devoted to their children and supported them in school and extra-curricular activities, sports, scouts, and local church programs. John was a painter and automobile mechanic at the Benicia Arsenal until it closed in the 1960s and transferred to Travis Air Force Base as a housing maintenance helper and janitor. Later, he was employed at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a rigger in Shop 72 and traveled to San Diego, Guam and Hawaii for special team assignments. He retired in 1983 after 40 years of federal government service. The Shipyard Commander presented a gold retirement pin to John in appreciation for faithful service. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends--fishing, camping, dancing, attending parties, community events, SF Giants, Oakland A’s and Oakland Raiders games, dominoes, card games, jigsaw puzzles, and collecting limited editions of coins and currency. Also, he was known for modeling good behavior for his children, being a hard worker, soft-spoken, stellar work ethics, and straightforwardness. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at the Passalacqua Funeral Chapel in Benicia. He will be laid to rest with full military honors beside his beloved wife, Lucille, at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California.