George Francis Smith

Obituary for Colonel George Francis Smith, US Army (Retired)

George was born in New York City to Captain (U.S. Merchant Marine) George Wylie Smith of Camp Hill, Alabama and Vita Marie Mangogna of New York on January 21, 1941. In 1946, the family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana which George claimed to be his hometown. While in Junior High School, he joined the New Orleans Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and began learning about the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was unable to secure a Congressional appointment his senior year at Warren Easton Senior High School, so he entered the School of Aeronautical Engineering at Georgia Tech. He applied again for an appointment to West Point and entered the Academy in 1960. George graduated from West Point in June 1964 and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer. Thus began an Army adventure spanning 30 years. In December 1964 before reporting to Hawaii for his first tour of duty, Sharon (Sherry) Gayle Henderson of New Orleans joined him in holy matrimony. Together, they served in many assignments both overseas and in the United States.

Colonel Smith served two tours in combat in Vietnam, the first in 1966 with the 25th Infantry Division where he was awarded a Bronze Star for Valor, the Purple Heart and an an Army Commendation Medal for Heroism. In 1969, he returned to Vietnam as a Captain and while commanding the A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division was again awarded a Bronze Star for Valor. Assignments of increasing responsibility followed: Executive Officer, 565 Engineer Battalion in Germany, Operations Officer and Executive Officer of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in Germany, Commander, 2nd Battalion (Mechandized), 34th Infantry, 24th Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Commander, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, 5th U.S. Army, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Chief of Staff, 2nd Armored Division, and finally senior Army Advisor to the Adjutant General of Georgia.

Upon retiring from active duty in 1994, George became the Senior Executive Assistant to the Adjutant General of Georgia beginning six and a half years of dedicated service to the Georgia National Guard and the State of Georgia. He is the recipient of the Oglethorpe Distinguished Service Medal and was designated an Honorary Aide de Camp to Governor Zell Miller.

While working for the State of Georgia, George became certified as a professional facilitator and helped the Department of Defense and several other state agencies develop Strategic plans. Upon leaving state employment, he created Summit Consultants and began a successful career helping organizations collaborate for improved performance. He was a founding member of both the Southeast Association of Facilitators (SEAF) and the International Insitute for Facilitation. He served as President of SEAF and was the President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Society of Metting Professionals. He as an Assessor for the Georgia Oglethorpe Award for Performance Excellence for several years.

George was a man among men, a proud member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the USO, serving the community and soldiers. Colonel Smith was lovingly supported in all his endeavors by his wife and teammate Sherry. She was an unpaid member of his Army units volunteering countless hours to support unit family members. They were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Saundra Smith Thomas and Stacey Leigh Rusk. “I am happiest when i am with my family,” George often said, “especially my two granddaughters. My wife Sherry fills my life with joy every day. Other things that make me happy are beautiful music, a good cigar, and a fine scotch.” 

George is survived by wife Sharon Gayle Smith; two daughters Saundra and Stacey; his two sons in law John and James; granddaughters Sarah and Sophia; Sister Christine Cook; and her husband Col. Micheal R Cook (U.S Army Retired); nephew LTC. Micheal R. Cook Jr. (U.S. Air Force Retired); niece Stephanie Rodriguez. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Hillside Methodist Church on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 2pm. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetary at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Military Order of the Purple Heart, The Disabled Veterans of America or St. Jude.