George Melvin Smith III

November 1, 1946 - February 3, 2020

Mr. George Melvin Smith, III, Age 73, of Battle Creek, MI (formerly of Charlotte, MI), passed away peacefully on February 3, 2020 at McLaren Hospital, Lansing after a lengthy illness. George was born on November 1, 1946 in Charlotte, Michigan, son of George Melvin Smith, II and Doris Emma (nee Walker) Smith. George was a graduate of Charlotte High School, class of 1965. George worked for Owens-Illinois in Charlotte and attended Olivet College until he was drafted into military service in 1967. George served in Military Police for the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967 until he was honorably discharged in December 1970 as a SP4. George enjoyed painting and listening to his favorite music (Beatles, Elton John and many other classic artists). George also enjoyed several years residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado. George primarily resided in the Battle Creek area for the past twenty years until returning to the Lansing area for respite care due to his service-connected disability. George is survived by his Aunt, Dorothy Bargy of Potterville; his brother, Richard (Ann) Lown of Charlotte; and his cousins; Judy Kelly of Charlotte, Dennis (Cindy) Walker of Nashville, Debra (Terry) Shaver of Charlotte, Daniel Bargy of Brighton; nephew Evan Lown of Lansing; and niece, Emma Lown of Charlotte. George was predeceased by his mother and stepfather, Doris and William Lown; uncle, Burt (Cleo) Walker; uncle, Donald Bargy and cousins George and Doris Walker. Funeral services will be held at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 10:30am with military honors at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of George are requested to either Charlotte Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.) Post 2406, 695 Lansing Road, Charlotte, MI 48813 or Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Michigan.