Gene R. Smith

Gene Robert Smith, 91, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

Gene was born Jan. 6, 1934, to Clair Cicel Smith and Ella Frances (Anderson) Smith in Creston. His junior year in high school, Gene was elected class president and was vice president his senior year. He was also captain of the football team.

Gene worked at Evans Bros. from age 12 to 19. He also worked at the telephone company in Creston for two years,, from 1952 – 1953, as a district wire chief. At 19, Gene entered the Air Force and was a Navigator Class Distinguished graduate. He was assigned to Misawa, Japan, for two years.

Gene married Coral Vondeen Shouse May 25, 1956, in Creston. They shared 55 years together prior to her passing in 2011.

After Gene returned from Japan, they pulled their mobile home to Florida where he started his pilot training. Gene trained in Bartow, Florida, Enid, Oklahoma, and finally to Westfall, Kansas, to train for B-47 bombers.

Daughter Sheila Joyce was born in Wichita, Kansas, just prior to the family being transferred to Savannah, Georgia. They lived in Savannah for six to eight months with Ben Whitehead as A/C Commander. Gene left Georgia for B-52 training with Frank Harris as A/C and Bob Wettig as radar/bombardier.

Coral and the family came home to Iowa briefly while Gene continued on to California for completion of his B-52 training. His military career then took him to Roswell, New Mexico, for flight training in the B-52, and to Rome, New York, where son Joe was born. They made New York their home for two years. Gene was then transferred to Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico for three years where daughter Elizabeth was born.

Gene proudly ended his military career by retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with the United States Air Force. In civilian life, he was the service manager for GMC and was a member of the South-Central Iowa Community Action Program.

Gene attended Salem Lutheran Church in Creston and Wishard Chapel in Mount Ayr, and served as an interim pastor in Southwest Iowa.

Gene and Coral lived a nomadic life, always moving and making a home wherever they landed. At one point they even ran a hostel in Alaska. Gene loved traveling to see family and keeping up with his grandchildren.

In his free time, Gene built boats and was an avid reader. He was a boisterous but funny and caring man. He enjoyed meeting people and learning their stories. He could talk to anyone. His life was full and interesting. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.

Gene is survived by his children: Sheila (Robert) Stefani, Joseph (Barbara) Smith and Elizabeth (Matthew) Delurhery; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Coral Vondeen (Shouse) Smith.

Cremation will occur and there will be a memorial service held at a later date. Urn burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Hope Ministries, Boys Town or Salem Lutheran Church in Creston.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.