SMOOT, Carl Craig - b. August 1, 1931 - d. February 23, 2018

[patyrn]

Carl Craig Smoot, 86, of Fredonia, Kansas, passed away on February 23, 2018 at Kansas Medical Center in Andover, Kansas.  He was born on August 1, 1931 to Ralph and Elsie (Wicker) Smoot in LaVerne, Oklahoma.

Carl joined the United States Army at age 17 and was sent to Korea in June of 1950.  He was a forward observer in Communications.  He laid lines to the front line of battle, carrying telephones and radios, and was wounded in combat.  He recovered in a hospital in Japan before being sent home.  Carl received the Purple Heart along with other medals for his acts of bravery and allegiance to his country.  He received his honorable discharge on June 2, 1952.

Carl married LaVada Kimzey on August 30, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Parsons, Kansas.  They lived in Wichita, Kansas with their three sons, Danny, Timmy, and Jamey and attended the Ark Valley Christian Church where Carl was baptized into Christ on February 1, 1973.  During this time, Carl was employed by the City of Wichita Fire Department as a firefighter until he retired as a Lieutenant.  In 1976, Carl and LaVada moved to Windsor, Colorado where Carl was employed by Kodak as a Fire Inspector.  He retired from Kodak in 1987, and they moved back to Wichita for three years before moving to Fredonia, Kansas in 1990.

Carl was a member of the Thanks Program and was instrumental in acquiring the present Fredonia Senior Citizens Building.  He was a member of the Retired Firefighters Association in Wichita, a member of VFW Post #3018 in Fredonia, and was a member of the Church of Christ in Fredonia.  As a Korean War Veteran, Carl was honored by being presented a Longton High School diploma by the Longton School Board.  The diploma was dated back to the Class of 1950 which would have been Carl's graduating date from Longton High School in Longton, Kansas. 

Carl's family, friends, and church were the center of his life.  He enjoyed traveling, playing pool, fishing, and beautifying his yard.  His honest trustworthiness and caring for others were well-known.  His great sense of humor, generosity, and compassion for life will live in our hearts forever.  He will be greatly missed.

His wife, LaVada survives along with their two sons, Danny Carl Smoot and wife, Dr. Michelle Smoot of Peyton, Colorado and Timmy Eugene Smoot and Dena Smoot of Wichita, Kansas; four grandchildren, Timothy Smoot, Leasa (Kirk) Bidwell, Zachary (Natalie) Smoot, and Jamey (Abigail) Smoot; five great-grandchildren; a half-brother, Bob Gritz of Topeka, Kansas;  two half-sisters, Barbara Bloomquist of California and Sherry Awdish of Colorado; several nieces, nieces, aunts, uncles, and cousins; and a host of friends and loved ones.  Preceding Carl in death were his parents and stepfather, Lester Gritz, who raised him; son, Jamey Craig Smoot; and one brother, Delbert Smoot.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March  2, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Fredonia, Kansas.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Countryside Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at the Longton Cemetery in Longton, Kansas.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Memorials have been suggested to either the Church of Christ in Fredonia or the Fredonia Public Library and may be left with or mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, 420 S. 20th Street, Fredonia, Kansas 66736 which has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)