Memorials › Henry Wendall “Hank” Smetak
Henry Wendall “Hank” Smetak
27 Nov 1930 – 8 Dec 2023
| Birth | 27 Nov 1930 |
| Death | 8 Dec 2023 |
| Cemetery | Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery Arlington , Tarrant County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | Bob Bardo on 25 Dec 2023 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/262537078 |
Bio
Henry "Hank" Wendall Smetak (November 27, 1930 - December 8, 2023) Henry "Hank" Wendall Smetak passed away on Friday, December 8, 2023, at his home from complications of long Covid. Hank was born in Flatonia, Texas and lived in the town of West until he joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17, after graduating from West High School. After the Army, he moved to Dallas to work in aircraft manufacturing. He worked in aerospace and missile manufacturing for the next 50 years -- living in San Diego, Seattle, and Dallas/Fort Worth. After retiring from engineering, he received his real estate license and worked for Century 21 Judge Fite until age 92. He was honored on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in tribute to his 50 years in the defense industry, starting with Chance Vought and then its successor LTV Aerospace, and finally retiring from its successor Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control on October 31, 1999 after 41 years of service to the company. During his extensive career in aerospace, he made critical contributions to important United States space projects, including the Anti-Satellite weapon (ASAT), the Space Shuttle, and many other classified projects. In his second career as a Realtor, he worked for over 23 years at Judge Fite, where he earned many awards for his service and production including Master Ruby Award in production and the Quality Service Award which he earned annually. His clients were always his first concern and he worked very hard to be supportive to make each transaction easy for the client. Hank married Glenda Jo Hale on Friday, January 29, 1960, in Chula Vista, California. They were married for 47 ½ years before her passing. He will be greatly missed and remembered for his love of God, selfless service, dedication to his family, sage advice, and fierce Bridge and Texas Hold 'Em playing. Hank is survived by sister Patricia and Don Hancock (Waco, Texas); son, Steven Smetak and Cindy Smetak (Westminster, Colorado); son, Todd Smetak and Betty Smetak (Poolville, Texas); daughter, Tiffany Smetak Scurr and William Scurr (West Hartford, Connecticut); eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nine nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by loving wife, Glenda Jo Hale Smetak; daughter, Cathy Carlson; mother, Mary Pinter Smetak; father, Alfons Alois Smetak; brother, Marcell Alphons Smetak; brother, Alfons Arnold Smetak; sister, Margaret Mary Smetak; brother, James Paul Smetak. The family greatly appreciates donations in Hank Wendall Smetak 's name to the International Myeloma Foundation, 4400 Coldwater Canyon, Suite 300, Studio City, CA 91604 (818-487-7455, ext. 254); fundraise.myeloma.org. Funeral Service: Thursday, December 28, 2023, 10:30-11:30 a.m., at First United Methodist Church – Arlington, 313 N. Center Street, Arlington, TX 76011 (817-274-2571). Graveside Service: Thursday, December 28, 2023, 12:00-12:30 p.m., at Moore Memorial Gardens, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76012 (817-275-2711). - based on obituary posted on the website of the Wade Family Funeral Home, company information by Bob Bardo, and published in the Star-Telegram on December 24, 2023.
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Siblings
- Sgt Marcell Alphons Smetak 1927–1989
- Margaret Mary Smetak 1938–1940
- Alfons Arnold Smetak Jr 1940–1942
- James Paul Smetak 1948–2019
Children
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