Chief Master Sgt. Barry L. Smith, USAF Ret.

Chief Master Sgt. Barry L. Smith, USAF Ret., 95, of Amarillo died December 2, 2021.

Visitation will be from 4-6:00 p.m., Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 6, 2021 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2525 Wimberly with the Rev. Will Esler as officiant. Private interment will be in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home.

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Barry was born March 4, 1926 in Burkburnett, TX to the late Dewey and Lillie Smith. They settled in Wichita, KS in the early 1930’s. He received his formal education in Wichita prior to his employment in the shipyards in Beaumont, TX. Barry entered the Army Air Force Air Cadet Program in October 1942.

CMS Smith retired with thirty-one years active service. His WWII service was in China, Burma, and India better known as the CBI Theater. He was assigned to the Eastern India Air Depot where aircrafts were received in crates then assembled and distributed to the flying units in the area. Shortly after returning to the US, he was assigned to Japan and from there, Germany where he flew the Berlin Air Lift supplying food and coal to the Germans. After his return to the US in 1951, Barry married Emma Lou Burns in Wichita Falls, TX. He was stationed at Amarillo AFB for eight years where he instructed in the B-47 bomber maintenance course. Barry was then moved to McConnell AFB where he worked on the flight line then to Vandenberg AFB as the principal instructor in the ballistic missile staff course. During his five year assignment, he attended Allen Hancock College and University of Southern California earning degrees in Quality Control Engineering/Analysis and Mechanical Engineering. He returned to McConnell AFB assigned to the 381 Strategic Missile Wing as the Missile Maintenance Superintendent serving three years before his retirement on July 1, 1973. His decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, seven distinct medals, five service ribbons, the Air Crew Member Wings, and the Master Missile Badge. Upon retirement, he and Emma returned to Amarillo to be close to family. Barry worked for Southwestern Public Service Company for fifteen years retiring in 1986.

Barry married Judy Lawhon Dement in December 1989. Together, they found a home at Westminster Presbyterian Church where Barry served as an elder. Barry and Judy enjoyed travelling all over the United States and Europe.

He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Emma Lou Smith; daughter, Sue Groom; son, Gary Dement; sister, Mary Jo Stephenson; grandson, Steve Groom; and great-granddaughter, Lindsey McKay Crable.

Barry is survived by his wife of 32 years, Judy Smith of the home; granddaughter, Pam Crable and her son, Jeff Crable of Flowermound, TX; great great granddaughter, Kiley Mitchell; daughter, Deborah Fischer and husband Gary of Houston, TX; grandson, Grayson Fischer of Houston, TX; daughter, Jill Dement of Friendswood, TX; great-granddaughter, Torri Cole and husband, Stevon of Amarillo, TX; great-granddaughter, Trinity Medley of Amarillo, TX; and his beloved dog, Buddy.

The family suggests memorials be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or Amarillo Children’s Home.