- Date Of Birth: January 22, 1929
- Date Of Death: December 16, 2018
- State: Colorado
John Dennis Smilley, Sr.
January 22, 1929 – December 16, 2018
John Smilley, Sr. was born January 22, 1929 in Maud, Oklahoma to Dennis Lee Smelley and Alta Magdaline Smelley Miller (nee Thompson). He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Marjorie Ann Smilley (nee Doyle); his siblings Alta Swartz (Bob), Charlotte Pompa (Pete), Donald Smiley (Tiny), Winnie Willis (J.W.), and Jack Smelley.
He is survived by his children Debra Ann Smilley-Weiner (Martin), and John Dennis Smilley, Jr. (Debbie); grandchildren Christopher Weiner (Ashley), Andrew Weiner, Ian Smilley (Arrie), and Sean Smilley (Shayna); second wife Merriam (nee Ewing); brother Robert Smiley (Charlene); and numerous nieces and nephews.
John started his working life on an oil rig at the tender age of 12. He then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps (later U.S. Air Force) and was a crew member and aerial photographer on B-17s in World War II. After the war, John taught photography and missiles at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. He attended the University of Denver where he graduated earning both his BSEE in 1958 and his MSEE in 1965. He went on to apply this education as a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Denver from 1960 until 1974. Following his time at Denver University, John began his work at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) where he was an Electronics Engineer until he retired in 1994.
John was a proud member of Masonic Lodge #161; the Optimist Club; the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA); the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA); the Denver Figure Skating Club, where he was a past president; as well as the Alpine Skating Club where he was also a past president as well as an organizer.
John had many interests including ice dancing, tennis, skiing, swimming, camping, fishing, and hunting. He was an avid photographer, world traveler, and a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, connecting to people from all over the world. John also held a private pilot’s license and frequently flew the family’s Cessna 172 aircraft.
