Captain Clyde R. Smith, Jr died Sept. 25, 2005 at his home in Collierville, Tenn. after a lengthy illness.

Retired from the United States Navy Reserve, Smith was born July 21, 1923 in Lepanto to parents Mr. and Mrs. Clyde R. Smith.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Bryce Moore Smith; five children, Dr. Clyde R. Smith III and daughter-in-law Jane Haynes Smith of Memphis, Bethany Smith Larkins and son-in-law Joe Larkins of Memphis, Priscilla Smith Mitchell of Franklin, Tennessee, Andrew A. Smith and daughter-in-law Joan Carr Smith of Memphis, and Robert Benjamin Smith of Memphis; grandchildren Matthew Mitchell, Wesley Mitchell and Julianna Mitchell of Franklin, Tennessee; one brother, Robert A. Smith of Hereford, Arizona, one sister, Patty Bowdre of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a number of cousins, nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his brother Alan A. Smith and his sister Anna Beth Nelson.

Smith graduated from Lepanto High School in 1941 and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Southwestern at Memphis (Rhodes College) in 1949, a bachelor of art's degree from Arkansas State University in 1950, a master of arts degree from Memphis State University in 1962 and an doctorate degree from Memphis State University in 1974.

He enlisted during World War II in 1943 and served on the USS Sicily in the Pacific. He was re-called to active duty in May 1951 during the Korean War and remained on active duty until his retirement in 1971.

He served as director of field services for Shelby State Community College from 1974 to 1983, establishing the first satellite campuses for SSCC in Shelby County. He also worked as an education consultant from 1983 to 1990.

He served as president of the Retired Officers Association and as president and a national trustee for the Association of Naval Aviation. He also served on the board of governors of the Escort Carrier Sailors and Airmen Association.

He was president of the Raleigh-Bartlett Civitan Club and worked with the MIFA Meals on Wheels program. He was a member of St. Elisabeth's Episcopal Church.

Services will be at Memphis Funeral Home at noon on Wednesday, Sept.r 28 followed by interment with full military honors at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Forest Hill-Irene.

The family requests memorials be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, the Church Health Center or the Scholarship Fund of the Military Officers Association.