Stanley Edward Smith was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1966. He had attended Pasadena City College, where he was recruited to play football at Navy. During his Plebe academic year, he roomed with Esmond Marks and Bill Schmermund. Stan’s cheerful attitude kept things upbeat and fairly loose for most of Plebe year. They had some great times together especially during June Week. Stan made many friends throughout the Company. He friendship with Bill Schmermund became a life-long bond, when Bill ventured to Pasadena to visit with Stan during Youngster Year. Stan set Bill up with a blind date, and as it turned out, she was Bill’s future wife, Margie.
Stan left the Academy after Youngster Year and headed back to Los Angeles, where he started his long career as an LA County Sherriff. He married his longtime sweetheart Laurie and started a family. Together, they raised a daughter Tracie and a son Todd. Sadly, Stan lost Laurie to cancer in 1995. Stan then lost his own battle with kidney disease two years later in 1997.
Stan will always be remembered as a good guy, a good husband and father and a great friend. He maintained his positive upbeat attitude right up until the end. He always tried to focus on the good and enjoy life through the toughest of times. Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Stan are very grateful just to have known and interacted with him during his lifetime. He will always be missed.
Updated: November 06, 2018
Curator: Ed Moore