F.O. SMITH 1961 - 1986 PILOT GSW DAL DFW DEN FRED O SMITH 75 BLUE RIDGE TX FRED OLEN SMITH 75 BLUE RIDGE TX -US Search (1/3/05) I talked to F.O. Smith right after I left active duty for guard. (1992) Seems his son was in a plane crash and didn't make it. I talked to him for a really long time. Little F.O. and I spent a lot of time together growing up. The Father's footsteps syndrome is an amazing thing. I lost touch with him when I grew up. Was trying to get back in touch. Don't know if F.O. is still around. Could never call him again after that. I cried when he told me. Just didn't let him know it. -Mark Guthrie (6/15/05) F.O.'s name sounds familiar. Is he Fred O. Smith? Was he a pilot? You can post pix at the photo section. -Jake Lamkins (6/16/05) He was a pilot lived in Dallas area. His son was a jr. We kinda grew up together. And yes, Fred O. Smith -Mark Guthrie (6/16/05) FO Smith Seniority date 7/17/61 on FL/ALPA seniority lists dated 9/1/72 and 9/1/86 -Jake Lamkins (1/3/06) I HATE TO BE THE BEARER OF BAD NEWS, BUT ANOTHER FRONTIER FRIEND AND PILOT HAS GONE WEST. JIM FORD INFORMED ME THAT F.O SMITH PASSED AWAY TODAY. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN FINALIZED YET. WHEN MORE INFORMATION IS RECEIVED, I'LL PASS IT ON. -Weldon Finney (11/3/07) Thanks for the info. Just to be certain, F.O. Smith is the same as Fred O. Smith who started with CN 7/17/61? -Jake Lamkins (11/3/07) That sounds right, Jake. -Phil Stallings (11/3/07) Yes Jake, they are the same. -Weldon Finney (11/4/07) Posted at the FL Club: CN/FL pilot FO Smith has died Phil Stallings and Weldon Finney emailed: "Jim Ford informed me that F. O. Smith passed away today (11/3). Funeral arrangements have not been finalized yet. More information when it is available." I'm not sure if he went by F.O. or Fred. His pilot seniority date is 7/17/61. He was about 77 years old. Anyone with more info, please post it. -Jake Lamkins (11/4/07) F.O. SMITH'S FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE TOMORROW AT 11:00 AM, THE 6th OF NOVEMBER AT THE BLUE RIDGE CEMETERY LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF HIGHWAY 78 AND FM Rd. 981, BLUERIDGE, TEXAS. VISITATIONS ARE TODAY,THE 5th of NOVEMBER AT 6:00 PM AT THE FIELDER BAKER FUNERAL HOME ( 972 782-6121 ) IN FARMERSVILLE, TEXAS. -Weldon Finney (11/5/07) Posted at the FL Club: Subject: Capt. F. O. Smith Saw this obituary in the Farmersville TX weekly paper: -Frosty Frost (11/10/07) Thanks for the obituary. Did he go by Fred or F.O.? -Jake Lamkins (11/10/07) Most of the folks called him F.O. but he'd answer to Fred too! Max Gardner nicknamed him Ferdo! He came to CEN about the same time as I started flying as Captain and so 'F.O.' was my 'F.O.' quite a few times. He had a good sense of humor and even though he was a couple of years older than me he was eager to learn the airline job from me. One day he got to counting up what little Central was paying him and what he made with the Texas Air Guard and discovered he was making more than I was as Captain! We joked around alot and had some good times flying the line. F.O. flew fighters with the Texas Guard until they changed over to KC-97s when he went to the Arkansas Air Guard where they were flying the F-84F. He was a fighter pilot at heart. He retired from the Guard as a bird Colonel, I believe. A great guy who brightened up many peoples lives. He will be missed. -Frosty Frost (11/11/07) Posted at the FL Club: New memorial webpage F.O. Smith, GSW DAL DFW DEN pilot, 11/2/07, age 77 http://FAL-1.tripod.com/FO_Smith.html -Jake Lamkins (11/16/07) My name is Dawn Smith-Gordey. I am the daughter of retired Captain Fred O. Smith and Reta Sue Smith. Today, I received the FAL Reunion Picnic invitation. I just wanted to inform you that my father passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2007. After retiring from Continental Airlines, my father began restoring Stearman Aircraft. He enjoyed every minute of this project, right up to the end. He was diagnosed in May of 2007 and remained comfortable until his passing 6 months later in November. I just wanted to let you know. -Dawn Smith-Gordey (6/24/16) FLacebook - FL Club FLight West: F.O. Smith GSW DAL DFW DEN pilot F.O. Smith's memorial webpage has been updated: http://FAL-1.tripod.com/FO_Smith.html Several items added and the page brought up to date. Need a better photo of F.O. -Jake Lamkins (7/3/16)