Victor Smith, Jr.

SMITH, Victor H. Jr. -- Age 90, of Swartz Creek died August 19, 2014 at McLaren - Flint. Funeral services will be held 1 PM Saturday August 23, 2014 at Swartz Creek United Methodist Church, 7400 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek. Pastor Wendy Orzel and Rev. Zoltan Steve Sutto officiating. Interment at Sunset Hills Cemetery, Flint. Visitation will be held 5-8 PM Thursday and 1-4 and 6-8 PM on Friday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek and 12PM until time of service at the church on Saturday. Those desiring may make contributions to the Marine Corp League or the Wounded Warrior Project. Victor was born January 4, 1924 in Flint the son of Victor H. Sr. and Justina Eliza (White) Smith. He graduated from Flint Central High School with the class of 1942. He married Shirley Ann McConnaughhay on August 28, 1965. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in December 1942. During WWII he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, participating in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, was with the occupation forces Landing in Yokosuka, Japan. Recalled to active duty during the Korean War in 1950 and honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1951. He was appointed to the Flint Police Department in 1947 and rose thru the ranks to Detective Captain and served as the Commanding Officer of the Criminal Investigation Bureau. During his tenure in the department, he served also as the Training Officer and Firearms Instructor. He was the recipient of the departmental " Meritorious Citation Award" for action above and beyond the call of duty, as well as many other departmental commendations for his devotion to duty. He was a graduate of the F.B.I National Academy in 1966, while in attendance he excelled in Firearms Training, receiving the "American Legion Firearms Proficiency Award" (this is only awarded 19 times in the history of the academy for firing 2 perfect scores) and the "F.B.I Possible Club" Award, both awards were presented by F.B.I Director J. Edgar Hoover. During his police career he received three personal letters of accomodation from, Mr. Hoover for his assisting the F.B.I. in high profile investigations, as a result of these endeavors his name has been enshrined in the archives of the F.B.I. Academy at the Marine Corp Base in Quantico, Virginia. During his law enforcement career he was the recipient of many firearms awards on the local, state and national level. He retired from the Flint Police Department in July of 1974 and completed his law enforcement career as an investigator with the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office in 1981. Honesty and integrity were the bed rock of his life and career in law enforcement and he would tolerate nothing less than that from those he dealt with, these traits were instilled in him as a child by loving Christian parents. Victor was also a life member of the following; F.B.I National Academy, Fraternal Order of Police #126 and Genesee Masonic Lodge #174, Disabled American Veterans, VFW Post #3720 of Swartz Creek and Marine Corp League Detachment #155 as well as being a member of the Elf Khurafeh Shrine and Bay City Consistory. I would like to express my deep love and affection to my wife and children and all my family members for their devotion and support in my life's journey. I hope my life's journey may have touched many in a positive way " Semper Fidelis". Surviving are: his wife Shirley; 3 children, Thomas H (Jan) Smith of Linden, Justine (John) Lanphear of Greenbush, Pamela (Robert) Poli of Swartz Creek; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren and great -great - grandchildren; brother, Robert N.(Beth) Smith of Flushing; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark Smith; daughter Cathy Hearsch; brother, Vernon Smith; sister, Grace Smith; grandson Jeffrey Smith; nephew, Robert Smith Jr. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at McLaren - Flint, ER and CCU. Tributes may be shared on the obituaries page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com

Visitation

Thursday, August 21, 2014 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Miller Road Chapel
8138 Miller Road Swartz Creek 48473, United States

Visitation

Friday, August 22, 2014 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Miller Road Chapel
8138 Miller Road Swartz Creek 48473, United States