Charles E. Smith, 87, of Vero Beach, passed away on Aug. 23, 2015.
He is survived by a daughter, Jean Jones Weston (Edward) of Ocala Fla.; a sister, Dorothy Lopez (Bart) of Parkville, Md.; three grandchildren, Jessica Natterer (Nate) of Summerlin, Nev., Jennifer Gruber (Josh) of Orlando, Harry “Trey” Jones III of Jacksonville; great-granddaughter Audrey Natterer; and several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews.
A brother, Robert Smith (Betty), preceded him in death.
Smith was born on March 14, 1928 in Baltimore, Md., to Bernice Smith (Schneeberger) and Charles E. Smith, Sr. In 1947 he married Mary Ellen Frey and remained married to her for 68 years until her death June 30, 2015. The couple lived in Baltimore for many years, then moved to Fenwick Island, Del. They relocated to Vero Beach in 1986.
During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a gunner on a torpedo plane. During the Korean War, he reenlisted and served as an MP in the U.S. Army. After the war, he joined the Baltimore City Fire Department and rose to the rank of Deputy Chief, from which he retired.
A private family service will be scheduled. Interment will be at the South Florida National Cemetery, Wellington, Fla.
Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with arrangements.