Dennis C.J. Smith, Panama City, FL

Senior Master Sergeant Dennis C.J. Smith (Ret.), 83, of Panama City, FL., passed from this world on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease surrounded by his loving family.

Dennis was born in Spring Creek, Florida, on May 17, 1938. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1956. His first assignment took him to Biggs AFB in El Paso, Texas, where he met the love of his life on a blind date. After dating for two years, he and Jannefier Grizzard were married in El Paso on June 14, 1960, and adored each other for 55 wonderful years. Dennis was the epitome of military service and dedicated his life to serving his country with 26 years on active duty and 17 years of civil service. He also pursued higher education receiving a certificate from Haney Vocational School and an Associate of Science degree from Gulf Coast Community College both for Hospitality Management. He was a Christian and very active with the Jenks Avenue Church of Christ. He managed the Palo Alto Church of Christ Benevolence Program for 13 years, providing a helping hand to people in need. He and his wife also ran a woodworking business for 35 years building items like hope chests, military displays cases, wood turned bowls and ball point pens. Over 6,000 pens were made and donated to veterans who served in a war zone. He was also a member of the Emerald Coast Woodturning Guild and the American Association of Wood Turners. He managed and maintained a 50-acre pine tree farm. He also led an active life and was a member of the 1,000-mile jogging club and completed a 26.2-mile marathon. He enjoyed the outdoors and planted a garden every year, loved to bream fish, and gig flounder.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Jannefier Smith; mother, Hazel Smith; father, William Smith; sisters, Lena Pearl Jordan, Yvonne Hartsfield, and Maxine Conley; and brother R.P. Smith. Left to cherish his memory are his sisters, Inez Love; Florine Rivers, and Carlene Wimberley; brother, Earl Smith and his wife Sue; brother, Ronnie Smith and his wife Phyllis. He is survived by his three children, Thalia Scully and her husband John, of Marianna; Derek Smith and his wife, Victoria, of Viera; and Trevor Smith and his wife Melissa, of Bayou George; and three grandchildren, Cody Smith, Indira Sharma, and Garrett Smith.