Patrick Moody Smith was born the eighth of nine children to Charles and Marie Ellis Smith on Feb. 19, 1939, in Boise, Idaho. He died Aug. 31, 2023, at his home in Beloit, Kansas, surrounded by family, at the age of 84.

Pat lived in various Kansas towns during his childhood. He moved to Esbon, Kansas in 1955 to make his home with his sister and family, Mary Lou and Raymond Griffith. He graduated from Esbon High School in 1958. Pat joined the US Army after graduation and was a member of the 101st Airborne Division, stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He was united in marriage to LaNeta Hollern...