Chief George Smith, Jr.'s Obituary
Retired Police Chief George Smith, Jr, age 79, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2020 in Muskegon Heights. He was born on October 22, 1940 in Marianna, Arkansas to George Jr. and Sebron Smith. George was baptized at an early age at 2nd Baptist Church also in Marianna. He graduated in 1958 from Robert R. Moton High School in Arkansas before enlisting in the US Army from 1961 – 1967. George went to work for the City of Detroit Police Department in 1969, and graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1978. In 1982, he graduated from the FBI Academy. George ended his police career in Detroit in 1995 at the level of Inspector (Captain). In 1995, he became Chief of Police for the City of Muskegon Heights, and held that position until his retirement in 2005. George was a member of the Zion Baptist Church in Muskegon, and one of the founding members of the Detroit Bass Club. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Johnnie Lee (Rutledge) Smith in 1992. SURVIVORS include his son, George Calvin Smith IV; god-daughters, Tiffany Jones and Torrey McLinn; brother, Billy J. Smith; best friends, Charles Rucker and Sidney Johnson; and wife, Chun Hui Kim. George was also preceded in death by his brother, Edward Smith; and sisters, Peggy Smith Butler, Kay Francis Smith and Edward Lynn Smith. PUBLIC VISITATION with limits of 10 people at a time, will be Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 2-3 PM, with family visitation from 3-3:30 PM at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100. Private Family Services will follow, with burial at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Detroit. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions in George's name to the Alzheimer's Association (https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2) would be appreciated. Share memories with the family online at www.sytsemafh.com.
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