Francis Horace Smith, 82, of Ridge, MD passed away on September 20, 2014, in Leonardtown, MD surrounded by family. He was born on January 9, 1932, in Baltimore, MD and lived nearly his entire life in St. Mary's.

He was preceded in death by his mother Olive Hammett-Bradburn, his step-father Mark Bradburn, his wife Joann (Goddard), his daughter Kim and brother Joe.

Francis graduated from St. Michael's High School in 1949 and soon began a long career in government service at NAS Patuxent River. He entered the U.S. Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War earning the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Francis returned to St. Mary's and continued his career in flight test instrumentation at Technical Support Directorate at Pax River, completing 36 years of service before his retirement.

He was a founding member of the Ridge Volunteer Fire Dept. and was an active member of American Legion Post 255 in Ridge, MD serving on the post's executive committee.

Francis was loved very much by all who knew him.

A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife of 57 years, Juanita, daughter Karen Russell (Dickie), son Francis Korey Smith (Jacqueline), sister Marcia Raley (David), granddaughter Nicole Wathen (Leonard) and 3 great grandsons.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 24th, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at St. Michael's Church in Ridge, MD. Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, September 25th, at St. Michael's Church in Ridge, MD at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.