Kenneth Ballard Smith, 95, returned home on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, after an extended stay on earth; under the loving care of his youngest daughter and husband in their Snowflake home. A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. followed by services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pioneer Park Chapel in Snowflake. Interment will follow at the R.V. Mike Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake, with full military honors accorded by the United States Air Force and the American Legion Post 126 of Snowflake. Ken was born Aug. 15, 1922, to Jesse and Burton Smith in Snowflake. At the age of 1, he moved to Winslow. He was a normal and adventurous youth. Graduating valedictorian from Winslow “Bulldogs” High School, Ken entered the United States Army Air Corps via the University of Arizona, becoming a B-24 pilot. In 1944, he was stationed at the Nellis Air Force Base gunnery school as a 2nd lieutenant. He was a career Air Force officer, served during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He made the general’s list and retired in 1973 as the vice wing commander of the 24th Special Ops Wing, Howard Air Force Base, Panama, achieving the rank of full colonel. He was a very accomplished pilot and commander. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint all of his life. Ken married Mary C. Read in 1946, and together they had six children. Mary passed away in 1986, after 40 years of marriage. Ken then married Neva Robison in 1987, and they were together for 26 years until she passed away in 2013. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. How great is that! He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mary and second wife, Neva; two sons; and sisters, Julia and Regina. Silver Creek Mortuary of Snowflake handled the arrangements.
