Karl W. Smith

Nov. 28, 1931-July 22, 2017

Homer resident, Mr. Karl William Smith, 85, died Saturday, July 22, 2017 at his home in Homer with his family by his side.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, by the American Legion Post 16 at the Pepper Homestead, 2510 Sprucewood Drive in Homer.

Karl W. Smith was born on Nov 28, 1931, to Norman and Ann Smith. After the completion of high school Karl performed service for the National Guard for four years before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1952. There he served an illustrious career, achieving the highest rank of the enlisted, Chief Master Sergeant. During his enlistment, he was stationed at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks where he fell in love with Alaska. After his retirement at Scott Air Force base in Illinois he resided in Ohio close to his wife’s family residence.

But the lure of Alaska and the love of his daughter took Karl and Martha to Homer, Alaska, where she resided with her husband. They bought a plot of land down the street from their daughter and began their lifelong dream of residing in Alaska.

Karl enjoyed fishing at the Spit fishing hole, the Anchor River, and for those Mud Bay silvers. His favorite was dip-netting at the Kasilof River with his daughter Elizabeth. He also enjoyed gardening and walking with his loyal dog and his beloved daughter on a daily basis.

His family writes, “Karl, ‘Our Handsome Vietnam war hero,’ was a good father to his five children and a dedicated family man, and a wonderful loving husband. He was the most unselfish person, always giving to the people around him. Karl was an airplane mechanic in the service, which taught him the ability to fix just about anything. Whenever Karl visited family they usually had a to do list for him to fix all the things that had gone wrong since his last visit.

“Growing up the children just loved their family weekend getaways, all piling in to the station wagon to go camping and fishing, close to the base where Karl would be stationed. After the kids had grown, Karl enjoyed driving his RV up and down the Alcan Highway and across America with his lovely bride of 60 years. He knew the road by heart, often sharing his knowledge of places to camp with whoever would listen. Karl had a full productive life and we will all miss him dearly.”

He was preceded in death by his daughters, Belinda Smith and Karla Lee Smith; and parents, Norman Horn and Ann Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Lou Smith of Homer; daughter, Elizabeth Ann Pepper of Homer; sons, Gregory William Smith and Daniel Smith, both of Columbus, Ohio; grandchildren, Joseph, Meeker, and Kalynn Smith, all of Columbus, Ohio; grandson, Reid A. Rauch of Homer; and sister, Sylvia Ann Smith of Vero Beach, Fla.

Arrangements were made by Homer Funeral Home &Cremation Services. Please visit or sign his online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com.