Aug. 15, 1933 – Oct. 1, 2011

AMARILLO, Texas — Services for Joseph Richard Smith, 78, of Amarillo, Texas, who died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, after a long battle with congestive heart failure, will be today at LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Martin Road Chapel with the Rev. Harold Waldow officiating.

Mr. Smith was born Aug. 15, 1933, in Monroe, La. He attended Jefferson Military College and was a graduate of Cathedral High School in Natchez. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 until his retirement in December 1974.

Mr. Smith lived in Colorado Springs, Texas and worked for Hatch and Company Home Lighting. In 1998, he moved to Amarillo with his wife, Virginia, of 48 years. He was a member of St. Mary Cathedral in Amarillo.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Genevieve Blankenship Junkin and his stepfather, William J. Junkin; two stepbrothers, William Junkin Jr. and George M. Junkin; and one stepsister, Edwina Junkin Blanchard.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia Smith; one sister, Marty Junkin Seibert and husband, J.W., of Natchez; two stepsisters, Sister Mary Junkin of Evansville, Ind., and Sister Catherine Junkin of New Orleans; one brother-in-law, Eugene R. Blanchard of Natchez; and nieces and nephews.