Charles Richard Smith, Jr.

Charles Richard Smith, Jr. was born on October 2, 1948, in Jackson, Tennessee, to Lorena Evans Smith and Charles Richard Smith, Sr. He spent his childhood in Jackson growing up on Smith Lane and attending both St. Mary’s and North Side High School, from which he graduated in 1967.

Charles volunteered to join the United States Army and was enlisted on May 10, 1968. He underwent basic training at Fort Campbell, KY, and specialist training at Fort Lee, VA, before deployment to Vietnam on October 7, 1968. He was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division (“Big Red One”) and was stationed in Tay Ninh, where he transported supplies on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter until October 8, 1969. Following his deployment, Charles was assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, and was honorably discharged on May 7, 1971. He was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal & Bronze Star Attachment (quadruple), National Defense Service Medal w/two overseas bars, and the Purple Heart.

Upon returning home to Jackson, Charles met Diann Terry in August 1971, and they married soon after on November 6, 1971. He worked for Coca-Cola before joining the Jackson Fire Department. During his 30-year career at the JFD, he worked as a driver, in dispatch, and served as a brave firefighter. Charles took joy in spending his shifts grilling and cooking for his crew in an effort to avoid the dreaded task of doing dishes. He retired as a Captain in 2003 with the love and all of the friendships and practical jokes he shared with his fire brothers forever imprinted on his heart. The fire department will forever be his family. In 2010, he and Diann moved to Lexington, Kentucky, to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.

Charles was well known for his love of baseball. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and as a small child, he could be counted on to be listening to games on both the radio and TV. Later, he enjoyed attending the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx baseball games with his friends in Section K, his wife, and his daughter.

Charles will be remembered most for being meticulous, for having a quick wit and contagious smile, and for making sure that everyone had everything they needed. He believed in helping others in any way he could, and that is reflected in his life of service and sacrifice. His love for friends and family, and his love for his wife of 54 years, was the only facet that eclipsed this.

He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, having confirmed his faith through baptism. He was a member of the North Jackson Church of Christ in Jackson, Tennessee, and a member of North Lexington Church of Christ in Lexington, Kentucky, at the time of his death.

Charles passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family, on January 4, 2026, at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Lexington, KY. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lorena (Bill) Barnett, and father, Charles Smith, Sr., aunt Leona Faye (James) Wolfe, and cousin James A Wolfe, Jr. He is survived by his wife Diann, stepmother Joann Smith, stepbrother Stevie Smith, cousins Leona (Doug) Teague, Eleanor (Bill) Dinger, and David (Rosalee) Wolfe, daughter Michelle (Matt) Hanson, and grandchildren Kharis, Jake, and Sadie Hanson.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service in his honor on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 11:30 at Clark Legacy Center – Nicholasville, Kentucky, followed by a celebration of life visitation from 12:30 to 2:30. Graveside service and burial will be held at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tennessee, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 1:00 with George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home in charge

The family would like to express immense gratitude for the amazing care given by all VA employees and the wonderful caregivers of Amada Senior Care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the North Lexington Church of Christ, 2280 Hume Rd., Lexington, KY 40516.