John Smith

Mr. John Edward (“Johnny”) Smith, 84, of Lexington formerly of Morehead, passed away Thursday, June 23, 2016 in Baptist Health in Lexington.

He was born on March 1, 1932 in Soldier, Kentucky, a son of the late Russell and Jewell Franklin Smith.

Mr. Smith had worked at The Empire Steel Mill in Mansfield, Ohio, General Motors in Detroit, Michigan and had owned a gasoline station in Detroit.  In his later years, he retired as a custodian with the Dearborn, Michigan public schools.

Johnny was a United States Army Veteran having had four overseas assignments, including the Korean War, as a rifleman in 1950-1951.

He was of the Church of God Faith, a Kentucky Colonel, a lifetime member of the DAV and a member of the American Legion.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Loretta Henderson Smith, who passed away on July 29, 2015, two brothers, Charles Smith and Dana Smith and one sister, Lenora Alice Smith.

Survivors include his step-son, Paul Henderson of Morehead, two brothers, Vernon Smith of Sarasota, Florida and Kenneth Smith of Venice, Florida, two sisters, Kathleen Tirey of Morehead and Judy Turner of Indianapolis, Indiana and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Sunday, June 26, 2016 in the chapel of the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead with Brother Don Rivers and Ray Bailey officiating.

Burial with full military honors by the Corbie Ellington American Legion Post No. 126 will follow in the Brown Cemetery.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation is after 12:00 Noon Sunday at the funeral home.