Foos & Foos Funeral Service
151 Yorkshire Place
Bellevue, OH 44811
Phone: 419.483.5484
Fax: 419.483.3061
Email: brian@foosfuneral.com
Website: www.foosfuneral.com
View All Obituaries from Foos & Foos Funeral Service
George L. Smith, age 81, of Bellevue passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at his home.
He was born on August 19, 1932 in Clyde, Ohio the son of the late George H. and Catherine A. (DeVanney) Smith.
He spent his childhood in Clyde, and Columbus, Ohio and also Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Clyde and Fremont St. Joseph High School.
Following High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Medical School at Brooke General Hospital in San Antonio, TX. Following his time in Texas, he spent time in California before being briefly stationed in Guam and Okinawa. When the Korean War started, he served as a medic.
While overseas, he started a pen pal relationship with Jean M. Hagerty of Fremont, Ohio. Following his tour of duty, they married on August 2, 1952 and moved to Kentucky until he was honorably discharged.
In 1953 they moved to Bellevue and he was employed by Columbia Gas. George and his wife opened a photography studio and operated it for 20 years. After semi-retiring from Columbia Gas, he worked as office manager with ODOT until his full retirement.
George was very involved in the city services of Bellevue. He served 6 years on the Bellevue Volunteer Fire Department, Charter Vice-President of the Cherry Festival, President of the Bellevue Jaycees and also the Bellevue Booster Club. He then became involved in local politics. After serving as 2nd Ward Councilman, he was elected President of Council and then elected Mayor of Bellevue.
He and his wife then moved to Florida where he operated a transportation service for 6 funeral homes. Because of missing their family and health reasons, George and Jean returned home to Bellevue after 10 years.
His passion was visiting family plots and National Cemeteries including pet cemeteries all throughout the states, Ireland, Mexico and Hawaii. At one time he could tell you where everyone was buried in Bellevue Cemetery.
George is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean (Hagerty) Smith; 5 Sons and 2 daughters: Stephen of Cincinnati, Stanley (Pam), Brent and Kelly (Bill) Baptista, all of Bellevue; Daniel of Sandusky, Patrick of Clyde, and Colleen (Larry) Renwand of Norwalk. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren with 3 on the way; and brothers, John (Rita) of Louisville, KY, Thomas (Pierette) of Davenport, FL, and a sister, Sally Scranton of Chippewa Lake, OH.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and son, David.
George enjoyed family gatherings and visits from his grand puppies. He also enjoyed working cross word puzzles and telling stories.
Friends will be received on Friday, June 13, 2014 from 3 - 7 p.m. at Foos & Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue where the Rosary will be recited at 2:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 231 East Center Street, Bellevue. Burial and military honors will be held at a later date.
George considered himself a common fella and requested that anyone visiting would just wear casual attire. Memorials can be made in George's honor to Back to the Wild or the Bellevue Catholic Cemetery Capital Improvement Fund.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.foosfuneral.com
