Philip H. Smith

Philip Herrick Smith Lt./Col. USAF (Ret)

OGDEN a€" Philip Herrick Smith passed away on Friday, July 13, 2007 at the age of 80.

He was born May 11, 1927, in Hillsboro, Texas, the son of Ben and Florence Purdy Smith. The family lived and worked in Hillsboro and Las Vegas, Nevada. Phil spent his early childhood in Bell Gardens, California with his mother and siblings, where he learned the value of hard work and ethics from his grandfather, William Purdy.

In 1938 the family moved to Ogden, the home of his ancestors, where he attended Ogden City Schools. Phil served with the U.S. Navy during World War II as a gunner on board the U.S.S. Idaho, participating in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. His ship was present in Tokyo Bay at the signing of the Armistice with Japan.

On August 12, 1949, Phil married his sweetheart and eternal companion, Erma Fowers, at Erma''s family home in Hooper, Utah. He began his lifelong dream to become a professional pilot when he and Erma began a 25 year Air Force career shortly after their wedding.

After graduation from the Air Force Pilot Training, he spent 25 years with the Strategic Air Command, conducting air operations throughout the world. He flew a tour in Vietnam and served in many staff assignments, accumulating over 8,000 flying hours. He was a graduate of the U.S. Air Force War College.

Among his numerous awards and decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Readiness Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Erma were sealed together for time and eternity on June 27, 1968 in the Logan Temple. Phil served as Bishop, Counselor in the Stake Presidency, High Counselor, Counselor in a Branch Presidency, and various teaching assignments.

His total joy in life has been his relationship with his sweetheart, Erma, who has been by his side through good times and bad throughout his military career and retirement years. One of the highlights of their lives was serving a full time mission together in the North Carolina Raleigh Mission. They also found great joy serving as ordinance workers in the Ogden Temple. He leaves an enduring legacy of love for this special lady.

He served as a volunteer at McKay-Dee Hospital for nearly five years, and worked with the Citizens Bank in Ogden for eight years, where he made many friends.

Phil was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His family was always foremost and he took great pleasure in being with his wife, sons, and grandchildren during family activities.

He was a member of the Military Officers Association, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a patriot. He loved his God, he loved his family, and he loved his country. He had a marvelous sense of humor. He was a great listener and was always a gentleman.

Surviving are his loving wife, Erma, of Ogden; two sons, Eric (Sue) of Hooper; and Brian (Amy) of Ogden; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., with Bishop Brent Lang officiating.

Friends may call at the mortuary on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Interment, Lindquist''s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road, where Military Honors will be accorded.

Email condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com