Robert A. Smith

Robert A. SmithRobert Allan Smith, 58 of Kokomo went home to be with the Lord at 3:02 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2012 following an extended illness.  Born October 6, 1953 in Kokomo to Robert L. & Helen Marie (Parks) Smith he was a 1971 graduate of Tipton High School and a 1972 graduate of Elkins Institute of Broadcasting in Chicago.Bob was a Viet Nam veteran of the U.S. Navy and a former radio announcer, beginning his broadcast career at WIOU/WKMO, Kokomo.  He served as Chief Engineer at WHYT in Noblesville and later relocated to central Florida where he served as News Director at WLOF, Orlando and then News Director at WMEL in Melbourne where he won numerous awards for outstanding journalism from United Press International.  While there he covered several space shuttle launches at Kennedy Space Center.Bob also served as News Director of WOOF radio after relocating to Dothan, Alabama.  He was formerly a member of the Florida and Alabama Press Associations, and had previously worked as a news stringer/reporter for CBS Radio in New York.  He was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Dothan where he served as a member of the Fellowship Class as a sound technician and class assistant.Bob is survived by Barbara Granger of Kinsey, Alabama with whom he lived and was caregiver for the last 10 years; his former wife, Elaine B. Smith, one son, Philip Robert Smith and wife Ashley of Kokomo, six grandchildren, all of Kokomo; his mother, Helen Marie Smith, Tipton; three brothers, Todd and Jeffrey of Tipton, and Rick Smith of Buffalo; two sisters, Ann Smith, Tipton and Laura Cross, Indianapolis.  He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.Friends will be received at Young-Nichols Funeral Home, Tipton from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 22 with a Military Service at 7:00 p.m.  The funeral service will follow with Rev. Bill Carmichael presiding.Memorial contributions may be made to the Guardian Angel Hospice, 412 West Sycamore Street, Kokomo, Indiana  46901.