John Patrick Smith, III

John was born in Palo Alto, CA to John Patrick Smith II and Doris Jean Smith (Snider). He lived in Clinton, IN; Crete, IL and then moved to Hollis, OK where he graduated high school in 1963. After graduation he moved to Shafter, CA where he resided until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1966. John completed officer candidate school at Ft. Sill, OK. He served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 earning 2 Air Medals with Valor, a Bronze star and a Purple Heart. He was commissioned as Captain and went on to complete Flight School in 1972. John received his Honorable Discharge in 1975 after “9 years, 3 months and 27 days” of service. He moved to Bakersfield, CA and began working for the United States Postal Service in 1976. His daughter, Cheryl Janelle Smith (Nilsson), better known as “Lolly” was born on June 11, 1978. John was a dedicated father, never missing a softball game or special event. He was at every crossroads and always just a phone call away with sound fatherly advice and guidance. John got the son he never had when Lolly married, Micah Nilsson and loved him like his own.

John worked for the postal service for 27 years, retiring in 2003 as Postmaster in Shafter, CA. He moved to Granbury, Texas in 2010 and on Oct. 7, 2014, married Sue Moran, his high school sweetheart and truly the love of his life. He gained four children, who he developed a special relationship with and who loved him dearly: Robert (Traci) Bernard and Jennie (Clay) Campbell. John is the very proud grandpa of 9 grandchildren, who love and adore him. He left his mark on their hearts through the time he invested in them and his ability to keep up with all the latest trends that appeal to each of their ages.

John is survived by his wife, Sue Moran Smith; children, Cheryl (Micah) Nilsson, Robert (Traci) Bernard, Jennie (Clay) Campbell; grandchildren, Jaden, Beckam and Asher Nilsson; Grayson and Cameron Bernard; Emma, Will, James and Georgia Campbell; brother, Ted (Bobbie) Smith; cousin, Tom Clonts; niece, Tedra (Chris) Alexander; and nephews, Jeramie (Megan) Smith and Steven Smith. He is preceded in death by his mother, Doris Jean Snider (Smith); father, John
Patrick Smith II; aunt Billie Jo Snider (Hamilton) and uncle, Larry Snider.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Wiley Funeral Home, Granbury, Texas. Please direct any donations to the N8 Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (n8foundation.org), P.O. Box 6463, Bakersfield, California 93386.