Phillip Smith

Smith, Phillip R., 80, of Sun City Center passed away on March 14, 2008. Survivors include his beloved wife of 58 years, Nora, six sons: Michael R. (Karen) Columbia, MD., Jerome T. (Nancy), Skillman, NJ, Terry A. (Sheri), Newark, DE, Barry P. (Sandra), Potomac, MD., Kerry E. (Tina), Cumberland, RI, and Phillip J. (Geraldine), Bowie, MD, and three daughters: Patricia A., Sandra J., and Sheila M. Klindt (James), all of Jacksonville, FL, and fourteen grandchildren, a sister, Virginia Smith Foster, Brooklyn, MI, two brothers, Richard G., Hilton Head Island, SC and R. Patrick, Ann Arbor, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents, J. Raymond and Minerva L. Smith, a brother, Sgt. John F. Smith who died in a POW camp in Korea in March, 1951, and a sister, Marilyn Denhouter. Phillip was a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan and served in the Army Air Corp from 1944-47. He received a B.S. Degree in Police Administration from Michigan State University. He served as a Special Agent in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and predecessor agencies from 1951 until his retirement in 1977. He was Assistant District Supervisor in Chicago, IL, from 1958-60, District Supervisor in Kansas City, MO, from 1960-63 and District Supervisor in Baltimore, MD from 1963-66. From 1966 to 1969, he represented DEA on the first U.S. Attorney General's Organized Crime Strike Force. He also served as Chief Inspector, Internal Security and retired as Chief, Domestic Intelligence Division. He was a recipient of a DEA Purple Heart award. After retirement from the Government, he served as Director of Security, Resorts International Casino complex in Atlantic City, NJ and as a vice-president of the Sands Casino complex in Atlantic City, NJ. He was a Life Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and a Charter Member of the Association of Former Federal Narcotic Agents (AFFNA). He was a member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center and also a member of Council #7282, Knights of Columbus. He was an avid golfer and recorded six holes-in-one. For several years, he served as a volunteer math tutor at the Hillsborough Correctional Institution, Riverview, FL. A memorial service at Prince of Peace Catholic Church will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM. Internment will be at the National Cemetery at Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc., 4210 77th St. E, Palmetto, FL 34221. Sun City Center Funeral Home, 1851 Rickenbacker Drive, Sun City Center, Fla. is in charge of the arrangements.