- Date Of Birth: January 18, 1922
- Date Of Death: November 28, 2012
- State: Florida
Fulton E. Smith of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Nov. 28, 2012, at home, with complications from Parkinson’s. He had resided in this area since 1967. A native of West Texas and a baseball player; he enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps at the outbreak of the European War. A veteran of World War II, the Berlin Airlift, and the Korean War; he retired from the U.S. Air Force at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., in August of 1960. He was a life member of the Retired Officer’s Association (MOAA) and a member of the Florida Retired Teacher’s Association.
He was a graduate of the Army Adjutant General’s School of the Air University System, the University of Colorado and The Colorado College. He taught in the public schools of Colorado and Florida and had retired from the Social Studies Department of Choctawhatchee High School in 1984.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jackson, Herbert and Stanley; and by a grandson, Jesse.
He was one of the longest residents on Magnolia Square and served in several official capacities which included president and treasurer. He was most known for his day-to-day care of people, neighbors and friends. He regularly did small helpful extras for others and looked for ways to help them in whatever way he could. He enjoyed working in the yard and did many yard tasks in the neighbors’ yards.
Survivors include his wife, Mary; daughters, Sandra, Linda, Melissa and Melinda; sons-in-law; three grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; and a niece, Harvianne De Graeve (Paul); and a great-nephew, Ryan Murphy (Sharon); and several in-laws. His youngest great-grandchildren called him Pop and followed him everywhere. They will miss him so much. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by family and friends.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Dr. Gregory Piacente, Dr. Lee Ettinger, Penny Frantz, ARNP, and Emerald Coast Hospice for their attentive care.
