Clinton Lester Smith passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Clinton was born the son of Lester D. & Nettie S. Smith on October 24, 1938, in Smith’s Hospital, Walton, NY. He was married to the love of his life, Elizabeth Sue Church, of Hector, NY on December 26, 1959.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Sue Smith; his sons and their spouses, Michael and Karen, Daniel and Sherrie, and David and Christy; seven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
Clint graduated from SUNY Alfred Tech in 1957 and entered the US Navy at Niagara Falls, NY in 1958. He graduated as a Naval Aviation Cadet receiving his Pilot’s wings and US Navy commission on October 21, 1959. Clint, US Navy Pilot Call sign “G-Man”, completed 31 years of active duty, including graduation from the Naval Postgraduate School, retiring at rank of CAPT on July 1, 1989. Career highlights included performing as a US Navy Test Pilot, accumulating over 6000 flight hours in 77 various aircraft models, and completing 1,745 Aircraft Carrier landings on 21 different ships. After retirement, Clint and Sue traveled in their motorhome across most of the continental United States, many parts of Canada, and Alaska. Clint continued to fly for over 61 years and was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award on May 25, 2011. He was a proud member of the Quiet Birdmen aviation organization; he loved the monthly QB meetings and told a lot of great jokes and entertaining stories. He was an avid snow skier, softball and baseball player through his 80th birthday.
A celebration of life service is scheduled for 2 PM, on Saturday, March 16th, at Word Fellowship Church, located at 225 Suncrest St., Gray, TN. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Word Fellowship Church.
03/16/2024
Bill and Barbara Jackson
We were fortunate to serve two duty stations with Clint and Sue. NAS Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico and NAS Kingsville in Texas. Clint was a great boss to work for and we accomplished many milestones at both bases. We became friends and enjoyed hearing of their continuing adventures and traveling after retirement. They came to my change of command and retirement in Virginia and visited us here in New Mexico. Fair Winds and Following Seas G-Man. We will miss your friendship.
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds " and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of " wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting winds along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
John Gillespie Magee Jr.
03/16/2024
Lauren Kvederis
I’m incredibly grateful for the time I’ve been a part of the Smith family and having the opportunity to meet someone like Grandpa Clint. He was an amazing person who always had a wealth of knowledge that you could learn from. Seeing the profound impact he has had on everyone in his life is a memory I’ll be able to cherish forever. He was incredibly loving to family and kind to all. He will always and forever continue to live on in our thoughts and hearts. My heart goes out to all of his loved ones during this time. Rest in peace, Grandpa Clint. We love you endlessly❤️
03/16/2024
Daniel and Nathaly Smith
Grandpa Clint was a great example in my life growing up. He gave a lot for our great country, and I was always proud to be his grandson and even wanted to continue in his and my father’s military steps before me. I love him so much and I am glad to have been able to spend these last few years with him around so that he was able to get to know my family.
My wife and I are grateful to have been able to share a few memorable moments full of stories and jokes that we will always remember.
Grandma Sue we can’t full understand how you're feeling right now, but we hope you find comfort in all the family and friends around you who love you. We all know and saw that your husband loved you so much, and now he will be watching over you from heaven.
We will continue to pray for our families strength as we endure the loss of our beloved Grandpa Clint.
03/15/2024
Roy & Teri Kelley
Clint and Sue have been like adopted parents to us. We have loved them dearly for some 39 years. CAPT Clint Smith was the Commanding Officer at Naval Air Station Kingsville, in South Texas when then young Ensign Kelley was going through flight school. A friendship began that has lasted through many military events, camping & boating outings, birthdays and celebrations. We have so many fun and fond memories that we will cherish the rest of our lives. Fair winds and following seas to a legendary Naval Aviator and dear friend. You will be missed.
A great man and an ever better grandfather. I will miss him dearly and all the memories we shared. He was the first person to take me flying in a Cessna and I hope I get to be as good of a pilot as he was. Rest In Peace Grandpa
As a navigator I have flown with hundreds of pilots in A3s, A 6s, F4s, A4s, F14sand F18s a without a doubt Clint was the best and most professional pilot I have ever met. Rest in peace dear aviator and friend.
03/13/2024
Jasmine Bowman
We have been so blessed to have Clint and Sue as our neighbors. Clint will be greatly missed. We are praying for your family as you grieve the loss of a wonderful father, husband, and friend. May God give you peace that passes all understanding.
03/13/2024
Jack ( Puff ) Rice
God speed shipmate you now have the wings of an angel. You will be in my prayers always.
03/13/2024
Lynn and Sammie Kirkland
This is difficult, but a privilege to be sharing about our friend Clint. Who ever knew him knew him as unique and one of a kind! We first met Clint and Sue at a small start up church in Pensacola. This was close to 25 years ago. He was inquisitive, engaging and ALWAYS ready to help out a friend no matter when or where. I confirm this experience.
One never forgot meeting Clint Smith. One thing I can tell you is that he LOVED his wife!
One of many memories I remember is the time he stood up in a restaurant and shouted out, I LOVE THIS WOMAN!! Pure of heart and strong in conviction. Why the sudden burst of confirmation I don't recall, but I was in awe. He was his own mam, knew who he was and knew where he was going. So many of us will miss him. Please, for him...let's take care of his most valued possession, Sue. A beautiful soul, friend, mother, grandmother, wife. He's waiting for her and I'm sure all of heaven will hear...I LOVE THIS WOMAN!
I was privileged to have served under Clint as a young Lieutenant 40 years ago. He mentored me and was a big force in developing me as an officer. He had a great influence on me and is one of those helped me eventually make Commander. He stayed in touch all these years and I appreciated his friendship and wit. He will be missed. Fare winds and following seas my friend, God bless.
Dear Smith Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Clint. I know he will be missed. I always enjoyed the visits from Clint and Sue when they would come to St. Mary’s County to visit with the GehrIg family. He was always so proud of his family, and he had a big sense of humor. I also remember how much he loved Gloria’s Key Lime Pie. Sending prayers and hugs to your family. May God's grace and love embrace you during this time.
