Carl Albert Smiley, Sr.'s Obituary
Carl Smiley, Sr. 85, passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2017 in Memphis, TN. He was born January 10, 1932 in Natrona, PA to Carl and Anna Smiley. Carl was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 4 years, between 1950 – 1954. His experiences and accomplishments while enlisted included: radar school at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS; participant in atomic test group in Albuquerque, New Mexico; participant in nuclear tests at Eniwetok in the Pacific where they detonated the first hydrogen bomb…he flew directly over the 500 kilo ton blast at 30,000 feet in a B-29 Bomber; he also served in Air Rescue on Guam. He also was a well-respected business man where he worked as an electrician at Freeport Sulpher Co, he helped build the Saturn I space vehicle at Chrysler Corporation, maintenance supervisor at Cape Canaveral (where he witnessed the Apollo II moon shot), plant manager at Weyerhaeuser Corp, and lastly, had his own consulting business. His hobbies included listening to good music, photography, fine art, playing pool and solitaire. Most of all he loved time with his family. Carl is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary Ann of Olive Branch, MS; five sons and two daughters, Al (Janet) Smiley of Monroe, GA, Cliff (Kay) Smiley of Oxford, MS, Sam (Debbie) Smiley of Conyers, GA, Steve (Belinda) Peacher of Florence, MS, Mark (Denise) Peacher of Brandon, MS, Cheryl (Thom) Carrigan of Jackson, MS, and Kathy (Manuel) Boyadjian of Memphis, TN; 15 grandchildren; one great grandson; and a great granddaughter on the way. A funeral service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119 at 1:00, Thursday, October 19, 2017. The visitation will be from 12:00-1:00. Burial will be at West TN State Veteran’s Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125 at 10:45, Friday, October 20, 2017. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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