Harry Alan Smith

April 2, 1925 – November 15, 2006

Harry A. Smith, 81, died in California on November 15, 2006.

Born in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on April 2, 1925, he was the son of Harry F. and Frances Belle Clift Smith. When Harry graduated from Perry high school in 1943, he was already serving in the armed services. Prior to Pvt. Smith’s induction, April 14, 1943, he was employed as a machine operator at the Perry theater.

His military service took him to the Philippines, where Harry served as a photographic technician with the 312th bombardment group, an A-20 bomber unit of fifth air force.

On April 12, 1944, in Salt Lake City, Utah, he and fellow classmate, Carolyn Rae Ball, were married. She returned to Perry to make her home while Harry completed his military service. In January, 1946, he was discharged and took over management of the Roxy Theater.

The couple moved to Graford, Texas, in 1947, where Harry worked at a theater with his father. Later that year, they moved to Odessa, Texas. In 1957 they moved to Torrance, California, to pursue opportunity for work in the aerospace industry. The couple were blessed with a son and a daughter. Harry and Carolyn were divorced in 1975.

On October 8, 1977, he and Jomae M Sharp were married in Los Angeles, California. She predeceased him in 2006.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his son, Forrest Carl Smith in 1996.

Survivors include: his daughter, Alana Yerrick (husband William Yerrick); six grandchildren, Christina Blair (husband Casey Scheirer), Lydia Yerrick (husband Mat Powell), Laura Yerrick (husband Alex Badham), Travis Smith (wife Sandy Watson), Molly Smith (husband Cody Halkola), and Camille Smith.