Melvin Tolbert Smith

Chief Melvin Tolbert Smith, STC (SS) USN-RET of Gassville, Ark. sailed his last journey on November 15, 2015, to be with his Lord. Burial will be in the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark. Mel was born January 2, 1926, in Lowell, Ark. to Edward and Goldie Clark Smith. He joined the US NAVY Submarine Service at 17. Mel served on the USS Snapper, USS Quillback, USS Sennett, USS Sea Fox, and the USS Sea Leopard before joining the Navy's historical service, the HS 7 Anti-Submarine Squadron. Before retiring from the Navy in 1962, he spent two years as a Navy Recruiter at Ontario, Oregon. Mel married Mary Nida in 1983. He is a lifetime member of the USSVI Submarine Veterans Inc. (Holland Club), the former Vice Commander of USS submarine Veterans Base, Mountain Home, Ark., and former member of the Idaho Spuds-Regions-Idaho/Montana/Oregon/ Washington. Mel is survived by his wife, Mary Nida Smith of Gassville, Ark.; brother, Joseph "Jody" (Barbara) Smith of Nampa, Idaho; step-children, Margeret Bensching (Lee) Hoekstra of Naperville, Ill. and Wesley Len Bensching of Nampa, Idaho; grandchildren, Christopher (Shanna) Hoekstra of Sioux Falls, S.D., Melissa Hoekstra (Brian) Hecht, Nicole Hoekstra and four great-grandchildren of Sioux Falls, S.D. as well as many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces of Idaho and Washington. Memorials may be made to United States Submarine Veterans Inc., USSVI Twin Lakes Base, Mountain Home, Ark. 72653 or Donald W. Reynolds Library. Arrangements are by Kirby & Family Funeral & Cremation Services. Please visit our online guestbook and obituary at kirbyandfamily.com.