Obituary: Louis Edward (Lou) Smith

Louis Edward (Lou) Smith

Louis Edward (Lou) Smith

Louis Edward (Lou) Smith was born on July 31, 1935, to Opal H. and Charles Edward Smith in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Lou was the third of three children, including Norma Dunlap and Vivian Stukey. He left his worldly duties and joys and went to God on March 30, 2018, after several years of enduring diabetes and kidney failure.

Lou graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1954 and promptly went to Dana College for a year before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He was stationed on Mt. Lemmon outside of Tucson, Arizona, at the Radar Station for most of his service. He referred to it as being a “Scope Dope,” but primarily served as the Base Exchange Manager. On a military leave in Iowa, he met the Love of his Life, Jan, in 1956 on a blind date. He was discharged from active duty in August of 1959 and returned to Iowa and attended Iowa State University-Ames. Jan and Lou were married in Des Moines on April 23, 1960, where they lived until moving to Los Angeles, California, in 1963. Lou worked in the Transportation Industry starting in high school and continued throughout his business life. He was the Pacific Import Manager for Sears for several years until switching to International Distribution. Lou and Jan received their degrees in Business Administration side by side in 1977 from California State University Los Angeles. He was Certified and Licensed in 1978 as a Custom House Broker and retired his license in 2017.

Lou was a Consultant for Nissan International, the General Manager for Land Bridge Shipping, a branch of A. J. Fritz International. Lou owned and operated a U.S. tariff publishing business for several years. He served as President of the Los Angeles Traffic Club and in other offices for several years.

Lou and Jan finally moved to Arizona in 1997, which had always been their home of choice. He served on the Yavapai County Board of Adjustments and Appeals for several years and Citizens Tax Committee, retiring from the Board in 2015. He was active in politics, having served as a Precinct Committeeman in California from 1966-1982 and Yavapai County 2000-2008. He was a Republican State Committeeman in California three terms and Arizona for three terms. He was always happy discussing the issues and challenges of the day, whether one-on-one, in a group or on local Talk Radio.

Lou leaves behind his cherished wife of 58 years, Jan; their daughter, Lynda (Branko) Pejic; a special niece, Trudy (Warren) Ault; a brother-in-law, Med (Anita) Wulf; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Lou is truly missed by his family and those who knew him and enjoyed his conversations and banter on a myriad of topics. Family and friends will join for the Celebration of Lou’s life at the Prescott Veterans Cemetery on July 31 at 10 a.m.

Information provided by survivors.


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