Kenneth Smith

Ken Smith, 80, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many, died peacefully on Saturday, May 8, 2021 after a courageous battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Visitation Services for family and friends will be held on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, TX 76013. Graveside service will be on Tuesday, May 18th 1:00 p.m. Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek parkway, Dallas, 75211. The family requests that memorials may be made in memory of Ken to Community Healthcare of Texas, https://www.chot.org/about/donate-to-us/ or to Cure PSP, https://www.psp.org/iwanttohelp/ways-to-give/ Ken was born on December 29, 1940 in Homestead, PA to Clyde and Ethel Smith. He graduated from Broadripple High School in Indianapolis, IN and went on to Purdue University graduating with a Bachelors in Chemistry in 1962. While at Purdue, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and the Air Force ROTC. Upon graduation, he joined the US Air Force. He flew and was a flight instructor on the T-37 and T-38 at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK. Ken left the USAF and to begin his career with American Airlines in November 1968. At American, Ken flew and instructed on many aircraft within the AA Fleet. His final flight for American was as Captain flying the last DC10 in service from Honolulu to DFW, in which American retired the aircraft upon its arrival back to DFW with great fanfare. Ken also retired as a Check Airman in December 2000 with 32 years of service to American Airlines. Ken was active in Arlington serving as the PTA President at Ditto Elementary, while his children were attending the school and also volunteered with many charities, including the Salvation Army. He loved spending time hunting, golfing, traveling with family and friends, and trips to the lake and Naples, Florida. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Ethel Smith and nephew, Elias Smith. Ken is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol Canant Smith, daughters, Kristin Anderson and her husband Geffrey of Fort Worth; Kara Smith and Jason Mechlem of Arlington; son, Ken Smith and his wife Dolly of Naples, FL; and ten grandchildren, Christopher and wife Sierra, Kelsey, Kailey, Kamryn, Victoria, Jackson, Clyde, Lucy and Zachary; he also leaves behind his brother, David Smith and sister, Lynda King, their spouses all of Indiana, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends, as well as his beloved dog, Rambo. We are thankful for the healthcare team at UT Southwestern and Community Hospice in Fort Worth for their compassion throughout Ken's illness. Wade Family Funeral Home 817-274-9233