Max M. Smith (1920 - 2008)

LONGFIELD, MARTIN, MCCARTHY, MCWILLIAMS, MORRIS, SMITH

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 5/17/2008 at 14:49:07

Prescott Courier, Prescott, Arizona
Friday, May 16, 2008

A veteran news broadcaster passes on – Max M. Smith, 87, went home to our Heavenly Father on May 7, 2008, in Prescott, Ariz. Max served as a news editor and anchorman for KOOLTV Channel 10 News in Phoenix; was chief announcer, director of continuity and production and director of public affairs for KOYRadio; and a news anchor for KUSK-TV in Prescott. While at Channel 10, he won a first-place award for TV news reporting, as well as a first-place award for radio commercial writing at KOY-Radio. During his broadcast career, he was recognized in “Who’s Who in the West.” In his younger years, he was chief announcer and morning newsman for KCRG-Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and news reporter for KFJBRadio in Marshalltown, Iowa. Over the years, he interviewed hundreds of celebrities, including former presidents Herbert Hoover and Ronald Reagan.

Max was born Aug. 11, 1920, to Forrest and Wilma Smith on a farm near Marshalltown, Iowa. He graduated from Marshalltown Iowa Community College as well as completing courses at Wisconsin State Teachers College, Arizona State University, Phoenix College and Yavapai College.

During World War II, Max was a B-17 pilot in the United States Army Air Corps. He and his crew flew 34 missions over Europe. He rose to the rank of captain and was awarded the air medal with four oak leaf clusters.

Max was pronouncer for the Arizona State spelling bee for 25 years and also judged the VFW Arizona Voice of Democracy competition for several years. He served as president of the Northern Arizona Chapter of the Reserve Officers Association, chairman of the Phoenix Christmas Lighting Competition, chairman of the administrative board of Albright United Methodist Church in Phoenix, first vice president of the Phoenix Downtown Lion’s Club, and board member of the Phoenix Press Club. He also was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Prescott Military Pilots Group and First Baptist Church of Prescott.

Surviving is his wife of 49 years, Claudia (Morris) Smith; daughters Shari Martin of Clarkdale, Ariz., and Tami Longfield of Chino Valley, Ariz.; a brother, Forrest, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and a sister, Betty McWilliams, of Branson, Mo. His sister, Dorothy McCarthy of Oakdale, Calif., preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 31, 2008, at First Baptist Church in Prescott with a light lunch to follow. He will be interred at Prescott National Cemetery.

Services were entrusted to Hampton Funeral Home, Prescott, Ariz.

Information provided by survivors.