Max M. Smith |
| Posted 2008-12-17 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Saturday, May 17, 2008 Max M. Smith, 87, a Veteran News Broadcaster, went home to our Heavenly Father on May 7, 2008 in Prescott, Arizona. Max served as a news editor and anchorman for KOOL-TV Channel 10 News in Phoenix; was Chief Announcer, Director of Continuity and Production and Director of Public Affairs for KOY-Radio; and also as a news anchor for KUSK-TV in Prescott. While at Channel 10, he won first place award for TV news reporting, as well as a first place award for radio commercial writing at KOY-Radio. Also, during his broadcast career, he was recognized in "Who's Who in the West." In his younger years he was Chief Announcer and morning newsman for KCRG-Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and news reporter for KFJB-Radio in Marshalltown, Iowa. Over the years, he interviewed hundreds of celebrities, including former presidents Herbert Hoover and Ronald Reagan. Max was born August 11, 1920 to Forrest and Wilma Smith on a farm near Marshalltown, Iowa. He graduated from Marshalltown Iowa Community College as well as completing courses at Wisconsin State Teachers College, Arizona State University, Phoenix College and Yavapai College. During World War II, Max was a B-17 pilot in the United States Army Air Corp. He and his crew flew 34 missions over Europe. He rose to the rank of Captain and was awarded the air medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. Max was pronouncer for the Arizona State spelling bee for 25 years and also judged the VFW Arizona Voice of Democracy competition for several years. He served as President of the Northern Arizona Chapter of the Reserve Officers Association, chairman of the Phoenix Christmas Lighting Competition, chairman of the administrative board of Albright United Methodist Church in Phoenix, First vice president of the Phoenix Downtown Lion's Club and board member of the Phoenix Press Club. He also was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Prescott Military Pilots Group and First Baptist Church of Prescott. Surviving is his wife of 49 years, Claudia (Morris) Smith; daughters Shari Martin of Clarkdale, Arizona and Tami Longfield of Chino Valley, Arizona; a brother, Forrest, of Marshalltown, Iowa and a sister, Betty McWilliams, of Branson, Missouri. His sister, Dorothy McCarthy, of Oakdale, California, preceded him in death. A Memorial Service will be at First Baptist Church in Prescott on Saturday, May 31, 2008 @ 1:00 p.m. with a light lunch to follow. He will be interred at Prescott National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Hampton Funeral Home, Prescott, AZ |
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