Doyle Edward Smith, age 56, passed away on October 16, 2021. Doyle was born in Nurnberg, Germany to Doyle Smith Sr and Brigitte Gärtner. Doyle spent part of his youth in North Carolina where he graduated from Pine Forest High School, Fayetteville, NC in 1984. He joined the United States Army in November of 1984 where he spent the next four years serving as an Air Traffic Control Tower Operator. After a discharge of active duty from his initial enlistment, Doyle immediately reenlisted and would remain serving his country as a pilot until his retirement as Chief Warrant Officer 4 in January of 2008. His time in the military included two tours of duty during war time and several accommodations and medals including: Army Service Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon. Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal (5th award), Army Achievement Medal (5th award), Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ Bronze Service Star (2nd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award) and the USA Master Aviator Badge. He graduated from Embrey-Riddle Aeronautical University in July 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics.
Doyle loved watching movies, spending time with his two Shih Tzu’s, Loki and Lila, and watching Pittsburgh Steelers football games in the fall. He was a loving father and man who was always willing to put others before himself.
Doyle Edward Smith is preceded in death by his father, Doyle Edward Smith Sr. He is survived by his parents, Raymond and Brigitte Goff, of Clemmons, NC; siblings, David Smith, Richard Goff, and Robert Goff, of Lebanon Junction, KY; children, Doyle “Trey” Smith III (Caitlin), of Haslet, TX, Tyler smith, of Elmore, OH, Allyson Dusenberry, of San Antonio, TX, and Evan Smith, of Frisco, TX; grandchildren, Reilly, Reese, Brady, and Cambrie.
A memorial with military honors is scheduled for 1pm on May 21st at the Smith Family Cemetery in Old Fields, WV.
In lieu of flowers, we ask you donate to a local Veterans program that supports our family and friends who have returned from combat with PTSD/Substance Abuse Disorders in the name of Doyle E Smith Jr.
Halfway down the trail to Hell, In a shady meadow green Are the Souls of all dead Troopers camped, Near a good old-time canteen. And this eternal resting place Is known as Fiddlers’ Green. Marching past, straight through to Hell The Infantry are seen. Accompanied by the Engineers, Artillery and Marines, For none but the shades of Cavalrymen Dismount at Fiddlers’ Green. Though some go curving down the trail To seek a warmer scene. No Trooper ever gets to Hell Ere he’s emptied his canteen. And so rides back to drink again With friends at Fiddlers’ Green. And so when man and horse go down Beneath a saber keen, Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee You stop a bullet clean, And the hostiles come to get your scalp, Just empty your canteen, And put your pistol to your head And go to Fiddlers’ Green.
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