Carmi Smith

Carmi Jess Smith, 90, passed away on February 13, 2017 in Altoona. Carmi was born on May 30, 1926 in Tacoma, WA. He moved with his parents, Jess and Lonetia Smith to Chariton, IA in 1929 and was raised in Chariton and Des Moines. He graduated from North High School in Des Moines in 1944, served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, primarily in the Philippines, and later was commissioned in the Iowa National Guard. He married Phyllis Montgomery of Brooklyn, IA on September 21, 1947 in Des Moines. They raised their family near Grandview Park in East Des Moines and moved to Altoona in 1999.

Carmi, or Smitty as he was knows by friends, owned photography and printing businesses in Des Moines and Carlisle for 35 years before retiring in 1988. He was a very committed volunteer leader with the Boy Scouts, which awarded him the Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service for his administrative leadership, Operation Santa Claus and SCORE. Over the years, he enjoyed being an amateur (ham) radio operator (call sign WOJOC), camping with friends, playing bridge and driving his beloved Volkswagens. He loved cameras and computers. He also enjoyed visiting Europe twice and traveling around the U.S. on many trips. He was a member of Union Park United Methodist Church.

Carmi is survived by his wife of 69 years, Phyllis Smith; daughters, Katlin Smith and her husband Gary Kokstis of Vancouver, WA and Susan Gippin and her husband Robert Gippin of Akron, Ohio; granddaughter Alanna Gippin of Lynnwood, WA; 5 step- grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial donations may be made in Carmi’s name to the Salvation Army, 520 35th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50312 or United Service Organizations (USO), P.O. Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677.

There are no services planned at this time. There will be burial of cremated remains at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in the spring.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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