Movie “Moe” Fremon Smith Jr. Movie “Moe” Fremon Smith Jr., whose interests ranged from history to gospel music and who served as a former Marine and Bearcat and manager in the local aviation industry, died Sunday, Jan. 15, at his home in Cincinnati. He passed away surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren. He was 71. Mr. Smith was born July 2, 1941, in the steel town of Midland, in southwestern Pennsylvania, the son of Azlee (Samuels) and Movie Fremon Smith Sr. His five siblings included sisters, Betty Jean (Goss), Maxine (Nunn), Shirley Ernestine (Johnson) deceased, Movie Ferdena “Dena” (Skipper), and brother Willis Samuel “Sammy”

Thriving in the love of a close knit family and raised in the Christian faith as a member of the First Baptist Church of Midland, Moe (“Sonny”) was a spirited, intellectually curious and athletically gifted child. He excelled in sports, and found his athletic calling on the football field in elementary school and then in high school as a defensive lineman and fullback.

Movie “Moe” Fremon Smith Jr. as a Bearcat A gentle giant but a formidable force on the gridiron, Moe accumulated numerous victories and was inducted into the Midland High School Athletes Hall of Fame. He earned a full scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. As a Bearcat, the scholar-athlete became a brother in the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. After graduation, Mr. Smith enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, attaining the rank of sergeant. He later enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps Reserve, he became a probation officer for the Hamilton County Juvenile Court.

On May 8, 1968, he proposed to Geraldine “Geri” Patricia Wile, a registered nurse, at the overlook in Eden Park. They married on Aug. 10, 1968. Three years later Moe became a first-time father, welcoming the arrival of daughter Staci Raquel, followed by the birth of daughter Shanda Renee and son, Movie Fremon III.

Mr. Smith transitioned to the private sector, where he became a Labor Relations Representative for General Electric in Evendale. He later took a position as materials purchaser and then purchas ing manager of jet engine parts at Electro- Jet Tool Company, also in Evendale. He retired from Electro-Jet, having worked there for over two decades.

Retirement, however, was anything but dull for Mr. Smith. He drove a motor coach part-time for a local charter company, Executive Transportation Service in Newport, Kentucky, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Never one to meet a stranger, Moe looked forward to interacting with passengers of varying backgrounds.

Retirement also allowed him ample time to truly enjoy his domain, his home. His yard was his sanctuary, where he tooled about year-round. Not content to just be a home body, he was a nature buff, curious about the world and its inhabitants, both big and small. He loved to fish, go camping, to travel by air, sea and land, both domestically and internationally. An avid reader and history enthusiast, he was particularly fascinated by the events of the World War II and was an expert on its military history. Also an armchair political analyst, he fastidiously followed current events as well.

Passionate about his ancestral roots, Mr. Smith was a student of the African American experience, particularly its musical heritage. He was an aficionado of gospel music, particularly the Negro spiritual. He tirelessly mined the internet for online archives of performances. He would excitedly happen upon archival recordings and footage, sometimes scratchy or grainy, of singers, musical groups and choirs of bygone eras. In addition, he sang with the Men’s Chorus of the First Baptist Church of Oakley, which he attended for close to three decades and was a member for almost 15 years.

At home, his beloved grandchildren ranging in age from toddler to teen; granddaughters Inaya Adeye, Sylmira Ayo and Syllah Ari and grandson Mason Movie, provided sweet musical accompaniment to his deep bass singing voice.

In his fight against pancreatic cancer, he never once faltered in his faith. Mrs. Smith is survived by his wife, three children, one daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, three sisters, one brother and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and longtime friends.

Services have been held. Donations may be made in Mrs. Smith’s name to the American Cancer Society at http:// main.acsevents.org/site/