Alfred Martin Smith

Al was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina to Alfred and Frances Smith. Al was an only child. He attended Robert B. Glenn High School where he made lifelong friends. He had aspirations of becoming a pro golfer, and while obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he earned his way through college by golfing.

After graduation, Al enlisted into the United States Air Force.  He wanted to be a cartographer (map maker) but with the Vietnam war raging, he was sent into combat. Al received two purple hearts for his service, among other medals, but harbored the scars that the war left on his heart, where he took most of its horrors to his death bed.

Al was discharged with honorable mention and went on to marry, having two sons, Adam and Jeffrey Smith.  Although his first marriage ended, Al loved his sons and always spoke highly of them, was so proud of their accomplishments, and wished they could have been closer.  Al was tickled pink at the birth of his granddaughter, Mia.

In 1991, Al met Karron during a company business meeting where Al asked Karron to go to dinner.  Al was living in California and Karron in Nebraska, but Al had previously worked with Karron’s general manager, so Karron asked her manager if “Al was okay to go out with” and her manager responded ‘yes’.  Dinner took place in March 1991, Al proposed to Karron in May, and on July 26th, 1991 they were married over-looking the Pacific Ocean atop Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego.  Al told Karron that he had wanted to get married on his birthday so he would not have any more birthdays.  But Karron knew that he chose that date so he wouldn’t forget their anniversary!

Al and Karron resided in Imperial Beach, CA at their beachfront condo, where they spent their first 2 years in business together selling books and “treasures of the past” at the infamous Kobey’s swap meet in San Diego. Al eventually took a contract job as fleet manager for San Diego Gas & Electric, which led to numerous contract jobs, from California to Missouri, to Ohio, to New Mexico, where Al retired in Edgewood, NM after a lifelong career in transportation management.

Al and Karron spent their time together basking in sunshine, antique shopping, building their various collections, playing tourist and visiting places of interest in all the states they lived in, enjoying life and each other’s company.   Al loved trying new restaurants, going to the celtic festivals, and was always game for a good theme park.  Al had an affinity for Native American kachinas and story tellers and RJ Reynolds memorabilia, which he was always on the search for something unique or to add to his many other collections.  But his Noah’s Arc collections were his favorite.  Al enjoyed music, going to the Bill Gather concerts, dabbled in playing the hammered dulcimer, and enjoyed listening to Karron play the piano.  His favorite music was bluegrass, country and southern gospel.  Al had longed for an MG for years and purchased his 1979 MGB while living in Ohio, where he became an avid car club member, winning several awards at various car shows.

Al was a Christian man.  Al had volunteered at church with the Bible re-cover group, looked forward to the monthly men’s breakfast meetings, and in his previous churches was an usher and greeter, participated on the church security team, and was a founder of the Valley View Christian Car Club.   He was God fearing and a strong believer in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  He always believed that “death will come at it’s appointed time” and that his “deal with God” was to be the official greeter to take over the care and well-being of all the dogs that cross over the Rainbow Bridge.  Knowing Al, he will be ready to start this position as soon as God needs him.

Al was a kind and most caring, gentle soul. He loved his fellow man, his animals, his wife, his sons, his God, and his life. Al was a hardworking man, giving his all on the job and to the things he was passionate about. He was truly liked and respected by all.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, leaving behind his wife Karron Lee, his two sons Adam and Jeffrey (wife Veronica) and granddaughter Mia, as well as his 2 dogs Millie and Annie.  There will never be another Al Smith and he will be sorely missed. May God bless his soul and may he rest in peace beyond the gates of Heaven.

I miss you and love you and will see you soon. Your loving wife, KarronLee

Al’s Bible Verses= Psalms 23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 5:1-12, & The Lord’s Prayer

Private services will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 12:00 p.m., and is by family invitation only due to the current pandemic. To view the live stream of the service, please click on the link below.