Frank Talmage Smith

Frank Talmage Smith 2/22/1918 ~ 1/7/2015 Frank was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Valeria and Frank Smith. After graduating high school he visited his sister in Clovis, New Mexico where a neighbor offered him a job with the railway ice house. While living Clovis, Frank developed an affinity for the open spaces of the West where he would make his home for the rest of his life. Later, he teamed up with his brother-in-law to run a propane delivery business in Clovis but promptly enlisted after the Pearl Harbor attacks. On a brief leave to visit his parents, Frank spotted a beautiful young woman in the same train car and immediately introduced himself. The beauty, Joan Schwendeman, would become his wife in 1944. Frank served in the US Air Force during World War II, was stationed in Guam as a communications officer, and attained the rank of Captain. After he left the military he and Joan settled permanently in the Denver area. He began working for Elder Quinn and McGill, a heavy equipment leasing company, was eventually promoted to Vice President, and continued there until his retirement at age 76. He and Joan were married for 67 years until her death in April 2012. Frank was first and foremost a family man and homebody. He enjoyed watching his Denver sports teams on TV, bowling, fishing, and traveling. He is preceded in death by his three brothers and two sisters, survived by his daughters Lisa (Tim) Corcoran of Portland Oregon, and Lynne (John) Quaglieri of Arvada, Colorado, his grandchildren Michael (Elizabeth Botsko, Erin (Matthew) Michael, Joseph O'Hayre, Sandra O'Hayre (Ty Martin) and great grandchildren Collin and Clara Botsko, Isabelle and Connor Michael. Frank was a loving husband, father and grandfather and loved to share memories about his life with his characteristic humor and attention to detail, even in his final days. He was kind and gentle, loved and respected by all who knew him, including his co-workers for whom he cared deeply. In life longer than most, Frank saw many changes and technological advances, and always remained intellectually curious. He had no regrets often saying that his life was filled with many blessings and fortunate happenstances, and he would not change a thing. He was a class act. Frank passed away peacefully at home, and will be deeply missed. Graveside Service is on Monday, January 19,2015 at 9:30AM, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area "B", 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80235.