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Michael David Smetzer, age 69, passed away November 28, 2022 in Rockledge, Florida.
He was born March 31, 1953 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the late Ralph and Naldene Smetzer. He moved to Sebastian, Florida in 2017, coming from Huron, South Dakota.
Mike served in the United States Navy, for 20 years, and was honorably discharged on May 1, 1991 as an E6 and received the following awards and commendations during his service: Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation (2 awards), Good Conduct Medal (4 awards), Navy Expeditionary Medal (2 awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), SEA Service Deployment Ribbon (4 awards).
Mike enjoyed competition BBQ and traveled around after retirement to participate in many competitions. Mike always had a contagious smile and helped anyone who needed help. Mike would drive retired veterans to doctors appointments and helped neighbors who needed help.
Survivors include his nephew, Brian (Maddison) Smetzer of Rice, Texas; great-niece, Scarlett Smetzer of Rice, Texas; sister-in-law, Bonnie Smetzer of Sebastian, Florida; and his beloved cat, Samantha.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Christine Smetzer of St. Louis, Missouri and brother, Larry Smetzer of Sebastian, Florida.
A private family service is planned and in accordance with Mike’s wishes, his ashes will be scattered at sea.
Memorial contributions may be made to: For The Love of Paws, 12198 County Road 512, Fellsmere, Florida 32948.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
© 2024 Lowther Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
Deb Perry - Friend
November 30, 2022, 9:25 pm
My thoughts and prayers for Mike and his family. May you Rest In Peace. Thank you for your service Sir.
Troy Callihan - Family Friend
December 1, 2022, 4:58 pm
Bonnie and Brian our thoughts and prayers are with you! Troy Callihan and Fran Love, Blue Ridge, Georgia
Kevin Barthelemy - Friend
January 14, 2024, 7:05 am
Something I saw on YouTube a few minutes ago reminded me of Mike, and I did a search for his name, not expecting much luck…it’s not the first time I tried to find him online. But this page was the second hit, the first being another obituary. I opened the page, and immediately knew I’d found my friend. Now, I wish I’d made more of an effort.
We were stationed at PSD Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, when he retired. I recall some friend of his from Florida or Georgia (probably Florida, but my memory is unclear) sent him a box full of random stuff people had left behind in motel rooms–the guy ran a motel. One of the items was a joint, which I offered to help him smoke, but he refused, not wanting to let me take the chance of getting caught with urinalysis.
At the time, Mike had a beautiful silver Volvo, which he let me drive once. Helped influence me to buy a Volvo when I was able to afford one. It just struck me–half of my friends who’ve died were named Mike. One night, he introduced me to a member of the Greek mafia, who were reputed to own/control all of the businesses on the strip, just off base. Recently, I found out they closed the gate next to the strip, which has made the strip even less appealing…I imagine they’re doing a goo bit less business, since it’s now a long way from any gate to the base. Another night, we went to some sort truck stop kind of place, where someone had grabbed books from a dumpster, where a bookstore had dumped unsold books after tearing the covers off…they put the books on a wheeled table, with a sign saying FREE. It’s kind of weird–my memory was that we’d worked together longer than the two years that it was. I transferred to Great Lakes in spring of 1989, and we hit it off right away. Part of that would have been because I was a bit older than most of the office staff, though younger than Mike and the rest of the E6 and above. Of course, we both loved to party, so that had a lot to do with it, too. Mike left quite an impression on mea, and I will never forget him. Again, I highly regret not making a better effort to find him over the last thirty years. I got out of the navy myself in January 1994.