Paul V. Smith

Paul V. Smith, 91, of Kalamazoo, passed away October 2, 2016 at home after a brief illness. Born in the Bronx, October 12, 1924 to Paul and Elizabeth Smith, Paul grew up in New Jersey. A WWII veteran, he served in Italy, completing 30 bombing missions as a B-24 pilot. After the war Paul attended and graduated from Muhlenberg College. He married Ann V. Daley in 1949. They moved to Kalamazoo with their four children in 1967. He worked for the Burroughs Division of Lear Siegler Industries on North Burdick, eventually serving for several years as President. Paul was an active member of the community, serving on the executive committees of the Arts Council, Junior Achievement, the United Way, and the Salvation Army. In 1986 Paul relocated to Los Angeles and served as a Group Vice President for Lear Siegler Industries, overseeing ten companies including Smith & Wesson and Starcraft. With the dissolution of LSI, Paul returned to Kalamazoo where he worked and consulted for various firms in the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids areas. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Paul was a docent at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, specializing in the WWII section. Recently he was thrilled to fly again in a B-24 arranged by the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, and also participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, DC, arranged by an organization that honors veterans. Paul was married in 2002 to Patricia Martin Lee in Kalamazoo. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Ann. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; children from his first marriage, Paul Michael Smith and his wife, Mary, of Los Angeles, Timothy Smith of Kalamazoo, Patrecia Smith-Daley of Kalamazoo, and Tracy Hodges and her husband, Kevin, of Paw Paw. Stepsons, Dr. Robert Townsend and his wife, Lori, of Clare, Chancellor Lee and his wife, Sarah, of Kalamazoo. Grandchildren, Elizabeth, Kaitlynn, and Kyle Townsend. Graveside services for family and friends will be held Tuesday October 11th at 3:30 at Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery on Westnedge, Kalamazoo. And, following services, fellowship will continue at the Beacon Club on Portage. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo and Junior Achievement.