Capt. John Smith, USN (ret)

John Byron Smith, Capt. USN (ret.), 82, of Hixson died Thursday, May 24, 2018. He was born Jan. 12, 1936, in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania to the late Herbert Eugene Smith and Eliza Margaret Cluston Smith. John loved his family. He was very active in his community. Everyone who met him loved him. Mr. Smith was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He retired from the U.S. Navy after 30 years of service to his nation. He was also a retired United Methodist Church pastor, serving at Mount Crest UMC, the longest and last church he served and was retired from TVA after 29 years as an engineer. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, the love of his life, Elizabeth “June” Keeney Smith; children, Crystal Hall, Jonathan (Joyce) Smith, and Suzanna (Tom) Ellis; sister, Vera Bower; grandchildren, Hunter Hall, Kalli Hall, Connor Ellis, Beth DeMonbreun, Laura Ferebee, Robin Harrington, and Andrew Ellis; and 8 great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be 12:30 p.m., Friday, June 1, 2018, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday. Memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Dr # 22, Chattanooga, Tenn. 37421. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.