PLAINS – Forrest LeRoy Smith, age 81, died Thursday afternoon, May 8, 2008, at the Meade District Hospital, Meade, Kansas.

He was born February 21, 1927, at Wilmore, Kansas, the son of Stephen Fay and Velma (Ridge) Smith. He attended school in Wilmore, graduating from Wilmore High School in 1944. He later entered into the United States Navy, having served during World War II and was discharged in 1946. He later attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, receiving hi9s Bachelor of Science degree. He later received a certificate in banking from the University of Wisconsin.

After receiving his education, he worked as an extension agent for seven years before entering into his banking career. Forrest moved to Plains, Kansas, in 1980 where he accepted a position with the Plains State Bank as Vice-President, after being President of the First National Bank in Sterling, Kansas. In 1983, Forrest and Donna bought the Sonic Drive-In in Meade, operating it for eight years, and had a sharpening service. He had also managed the Senior Citizen Housing in Plains for approximately eight years before retiring.

In 1949, he married Bernice Toothaker in Wilmore, Kansas. The couple later divorced. On May 29, 1983, he married Donna Steierl in Sterling, Kansas.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church; Lions Club, having served as club president, both of Plains, and had served on the Plains City Council for eighteen years.

Survivors include:

His wife, Donna Smith of Plains, Kansas

Two sons, Steven W. Smith of Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Scott A. Smith of Wichita, Kansas

A stepson, Terry Mosier of Hutchinson, Kansas

Two daughters, Brenda Choitz of Bullhead City, Arizona
Dr. Cheryl A. Schmidt of Wichita, Kansas

A stepdaughter, Joan Wyatt of Abilene, Kansas

Two sisters, Virginia Linnell of Twin Falls, Idaho
Lorita Harrison of Dallas, Texas

Seven grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Calvin F. and Melvin W. Smith.

Celebration of life services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2008, at the First Baptist Church, Plains, Kansas, with the Reverend Neal Foster presiding.

The family would welcome memorials to the First Baptist Church or the Young at Heart in care of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.