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With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Hubert E. “Pete” Smith, our loving and devoted dad and granddaddy. He left us to go be with his wife of 57 years on Nov. 10, 2020. Pete passed away at his home in New Market.

Pete was born Sept. 26, 1930, to MJ and Pearl Smith of Clio, where he was raised, and spent many of his childhood days working in the cotton fields. It taught him what hard work was and to be thankful for what he had. Pete enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17 where he worked as a radio operator and loaded planes for the bombing missions in the Korean War. He left the service with UN Service Medal and a Korean SV medal as well as a sergeant. He then attended the University of Alabama. In 1958, he graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering where he met the love of his life, Carol J. Monk Smith. A romance quickly grew, and they were married in 1959.

They moved to Huntsville in 1961 where Pete got a job with NASA. Over a course of 30 plus years, he not only received numerous awards for achievements and performance, as well as the Director’s Commendation. He designed and patented many of instruments for NASA. Pete was responsible for much of the electrical design and wiring of the Space Shuttle. Therefore, a part of him still lives in the operation of the space shuttle.

Along the way Pete and Carol created a family. In 1961, Jeanna was born and in 1971 they adopted Kerri. Before Pete knew it, the family was growing with spouses, grandkids, and great grandkids. Pete’s family became his pride and joy. He made sure none of them did without. He never once complained or expected anything in return.

Pete was a simple and humble man. Back in his younger days he enjoyed playing tennis on a league and won a handful of trophies. If he wasn’t tending to his job, family, or home you would always find him reading his small paperback book. He loved to read, especially his westerns. In later years Pete became known for saying “Be Nice”, a quote we can all live by. He touched so many lives with his love and generosity, words can’t express how much this wonderful man will be missed.

Hubert E. “Pete” Smith is survived by his two daughters, Jeanna Duke and Kerri Cagle; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and his nephew, Buford Jr. Smith. He was predeceased by his loving and devoted wife, Carol J. Monk Smith.     

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon, Nov. 14, 2020, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, on Bob Wallace Avenue. 

The funeral service will follow at noon CT.  Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Huntsville Memory Gardens on University Drive.