Fred Smith

BACKUS - Fred Smith, age 76, of Backus, went to be with our heavenly father on his birthday, June 23, 2008, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. He was born June 23, 1932, in Buffalo, Mo.

Fred was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the United States Air Force as a tailgunner and was a member of the American Legion Post No. 368 in Backus. He worked as a computer engineer for IBM, Sorbus, Decision One, and later, Verizon. He started at the ground level of the computer field and worked his way up to the top of international support.

He is survived by his wife, Cloie; son, Michael Smith; stepfather, Raymond Houser; stepchildren, Dale Knutson (Dee), Rich Knutson, Lisa Melby (Keith), Teresa Knutson, Lori Nelson, Shelly Holden-Smith; sisters, Reva Tyssedal (Don), Eva Shain (Bernard); brother, Bob Houser (Judy); 21 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Smith-Houser; and grandparents, Wilson and Ethel Smith.

Services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, at the Church of the Nazarene in Backus with Pastor Greg Baker officiating. Inurnment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Backus. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pine River.