K. Frank Smith

Kirby Franklin Smith, 82, of Port St. Lucie, FL, died peacefully at home the morning of November 12.

Mr. Smith was born May 26, 1934 in Atlanta, GA and grew up in Key West, FL, Greenville, SC, Covington, GA and Gainesville, GA. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1950 at the age of 16 and served at Inchon during the Korean War. He later was stationed in Ft. Bragg, NC, Kaiserslautern, Germany, Chateauroux, France and Mineral Wells, TX rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In 1959, he was named Soldier of the 4th Army Area which led to his receiving orders to Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning, GA. He graduated in 1960 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He spent two years in the Ranger department at Ft. Benning and in 1962 went to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Okinawa. He graduated from Jungle Warfare School in Malaya and was a distinguished honor graduate of the Army’s Advanced Class in 1965.

He served three tours in Vietnam, as a rifle company commander, as brigade S-2 as a major and with the 5th Special Forces in MACSOG. He extended his last tour to take over command of NKP in Thailand, a base launching assets along the HO Chi Minh Trail and into Laos.

He earned a B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska in 1972. His last tour of duty was at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA. A master parachutist, Smith made more than 100 jumps during his army career and was awarded a number of commendation and medals including five Bronze stars, three for valor. He retired from the Army in 1972.

He was hired as Executive Vice President of Tidewater Builders Association in Norfolk, VA in 1972, a position he held until 1986. During his tenure, the association expanded its membership base significantly, built a new facility in Chesapeake, VA and created such lasting programs as the Apprenticeship Training program, a new homes insurance program, Homearama, and others.

After 1986, he became a residential builder and later owned and managed cemeteries in VA and NC. He was a long time member of the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club in Virginia Beach and served on its board for more than five years.

In 1997, he retired to Port St. Lucie, FL where he played golf, tended citrus trees and was a member of the Legacy Golf and Tennis Club in PGA Village. He and his wife traveled extensively including trips to Spain, Kenya, Egypt, Italy, Germany, England, and France, and in 2010 collaborated on a book chronicling his interesting life.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Linda, a son, Shawn Smith, a daughter, Shayne McCabe, grandchildren, Chelsea Smith, Justin Smith, Kayla McCabe, Zoe Cooper-Stone, Chai Cooper-Stone and stepdaughters, Robin Cooper-Stone and Kendra Cooper.

Remembered as a man of great command presence with extraordinary leadership abilities, he was respected by all who knew him and loved and admired as a loyal and caring parent, relative and friend.