Russell Smith, 95, was born May 8, 1923 in Alameda, California to Lillian and Almer Smith. Russ grew up in Los Angeles, later attending the University of Southern California where he meet the love of his life, our Mom, Jean, while both were working at the university bookstore. It was true love when Dad proved he was a great dancer! This love lasted almost 75 years.

Russ was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy in his Junior year in college, February 1944, due to WWII. He and Jean were married that same day. Upon discharge as a Lieutenant in 1946, he returned to USC where he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career with Garret Corporation in the aerospace industry which spanned four decades from California to Arizona, then Ohio, and finally Oklahoma. During this time they had four children, Randall Smith, Dayton Ohio, Shelley Martin, Dallas, TX, Stacey Millican and husband Dennis, Grove, Oklahoma, Nancy DePrang and husband Mike, Edmond, Oklahoma, nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Russ’ favorite pastime was spending time on the water in his sail boat and party barge. He and Jean gave his children and grandchildren wonderful memories of times spent at Grand Lake.