CDR John Hubert Smith, USN (Ret.)

LTJG Smith became a Naval Aviator on March 24, 1971 at HT-8, NAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola, FL. LTJG Smith is Navy Helicopter Pilot Designator Number R-11504 and a former HS-6er, NAS Imperial Beach, CA.

John Hubert Smith, age 79, was tragically taken from us on August 2, 2024. John was born to Fred O’Neill Smith and Margaret Jane Sarver in 1945 and raised in Santa Rita, New Mexico. John graduated from Cobre High School in 1963. After graduating from the University of New Mexico NROTC program in 1969, John was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and served as a helicopter pilot for over 20 years, including a Med cruise with HS-6 in 1972.

John served at multiple Navy installations throughout his distinguished career, including Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai and at Naval Air Station Fallon as a Range Officer. After John retired as a Commander in the United States Navy, he worked as a civilian for the Department of Defense. He eventually returned home to New Mexico to work at White Sands Missile Range until his retirement from civil service in 2007.

John’s love for learning and curious nature fostered many hobbies which enriched his life. He always loved books and movies (especially Sci-Fi) and kept an extensive collection of both. He was a gifted artist early in life and continued to draw and paint until taken from us. He was also an accomplished gamer and achieved Veteran Legend status in Elder Scrolls Online which placed him among the top one percent of players worldwide.

John was preceded in death by his father Fred O’Neill Smith, his mother Margaret Jane Sarver, and his brother Fred O’Neill Smith, Jr.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Erika Smith, of Las Cruces, New Mexico and his three daughters, Johana Smith, Ashley Smith O’Neill, and Victoria Smith as well as his four grandchildren and his fur and feather babies.

John’s extraordinary life will be celebrated in a private ceremony at a later date.