Colonel John C. Smith

Dr. John C. Smith, 57, stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, died Tuesday, April 30, 2013 in Honolulu. He was born June 27, 1955, in Fredonia, Kansas, the son of Charles Robert and Doris Fern (Cather) Smith. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps on January 1, 2009. COL Smith began his military career by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation from Fredonia High School in 1973. Upon discharge, he returned to Fredonia working primarily as a welder. Utilizing the GI Bill, he attended Independence Community College and Kansas State University, receiving his AA and BS. Upon receiving his DVM from KSU, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps. COL Smith"s assignments include Joint Task Force-Bravo, Soto Cano AB, Honduras; Commander, 487th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service), Heidelberg, Germany; Senior Medical Intelligence Analyst, Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center; Senior Veterinarian, 3rd Medical Command; Senior Veterinarian and Chief of Professional Services, 3rd Medical Command (Forward); Task Force Veterinarian, Coalition Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force-Kabul Afghanistan, during Operations Enduring Freedom; Theater Veterinarian, Coalition Land Force Combatant Command during Operation Iraqi Freedom; Commander, Rocky Mountain District Veterinary Command, Fort Carson, CO; Commander, 64th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service) Kaiserslautern, Germany; Commander 64th Medical Detachment (VS) (Forward) Camp Arifjan, Kuwait; and Veterinary Consultant to the Commander, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia. At the time of his death, COL Smith was the Deputy Commissioner of Public Health Command of Region Pacific. COL Smith"s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), U.S. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2 Bronze Service Stars); Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 3); Joint Meritorious Unit Citation (3 OLC), the Expert Field Medical Badge; and The Order of Military Medical Merit. COL Smith held a Master of Public Health in tropical medicine from the University of South Florida and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. He was board certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. COL Smith was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association; American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine; American Association of Food Hygiene Veterinarians; American Association of Public Health Veterinarians; and the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association. He also was a life member of the Fredonia VFW Post 3018, and Phi Kappa Phi. In March of 1980, Dr. Smith was united in marriage to Lillie Jane (Maggard) Patchett. She preceded him in death April 29, 2008. On November 26, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada, he married Tatianna Levasheva. She survives at their home. In addition to his wife, Tatianna, COL Smith is survived by: One son: Charles R. Smith II of Las Vegas, NV Two step-sons: Luke J. Patchett of Jefferson City, MO Adam E. Patchett of Daly City, CA One step-daughter: Alexandra Levasheva of Honolulu, HI One brother: Robert A. Smith of Fredonia, KS Three step-grandchildren Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at the Fredonia City Cemetery with military rites conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. A memorial has been established in COL Smith"s name with the KSU College of Veterinary Medicine and contributions may be sent to or left at Timmons Funeral Home. Words of condolence may be left at www.timmonsfuneralhome.com. Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, KS, 66736, is in charge of the arrangements.