The PGR has been invited by the Family to Honor their Hero, and it is our Privilege to do so.
Arthur “Art” Smith (97), left his loving family in the early morning of the 18th of December 2021, to be reunited with his wife of 70 years, Audrey Smith, in heaven.
Born in the fall of 1924, Art was a native of San Francisco, California. In 1943 as a young man, he left his family home of San Francisco to set out for WWII as a soldier and medic in the Second Division of the Army PFC. He earned two Purple Hearts during his tour. One of his most fond memories was arriving in Paris on Liberation Day 1944, accidentally ahead of General George S. Patton.
During the war, he met the love of his life Audrey in Wales; the couple was married in 1947 and celebrated their 70th anniversary together in 2017.
A few of his many accomplishments throughout his life: WWII Veteran, USC Graduate Bachelor of Science, Lompoc Valley Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award, California State Board of Pharmacy (Officer and Board Member), American College of Apothecaries (Full Fellow), California Pharmaceutical Association (Board Member/Trustee), The Royal Society of Health Fellowship F.R.S.H., Santa Barbara Regional Health Authority (Director/Chairman), Central Coast Pharmacy Specialists (CCPS President) as well as a lifetime member of Lompoc Valley Rotary, Lompoc Knights of Pythias (50+ years), Lompoc Valley Club, and The American Legion of Honor for 75 years and other numerous organizations and memberships.
Arthur is survived by his children, son David Rhys Smith and his wife of Visalia, his daughter Ceri Lyn Smith of San Francisco and Italy, along with four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the Hero and his family from the mortuary to the church to the cemetery. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. Please feel free to join at any of the locations below.
NOTE: PLEASE OBSERVE COVID RESTRICTIONS, HAVE MASK AVAILABLE IF NEEDED
Time Table for Monday, 03 JAN 22:1000 - Starbuck-Lind Mortuary, 123 N. A St, Lompoc Ca. 93436
https://goo.gl/maps/aBNhmEN6dDiCmp7K81015 - Mission briefing
1030 - Flag Line for dignified transfer of Hero from Mortuary to Coach
1035 - Accompany Hero to Bethany Lutheran Church, 135 South E. Street, Lompoc, CA. 93436
https://goo.gl/maps/4iw8AL5KsNjcrSBr71100 - Service
1145 - Accompany Hero and Family to Lompoc Cemetery, 600 S. C St, Lompoc Ca. 93436
https://goo.gl/maps/YnLv8dWuiFkDjUM7A1200 - Flag line and full Military Honors
In Honor
PGR RC
John Archuleta (Milkshake)
ALR 26 Bakersfield
PGR Assistant State Captain So.Central Ca.US Army 62/65
(805) 441-8506
45jarchuleta@gmail.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
