Percy Lee Smart, 102 years of age, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Monday, December 6th, 2021 at his residence, The Gardens, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Funeral services for a small family gathering will be held at 8am on Thursday, Dec 9th, 2021 at Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery in Scottsdale, AZ. Burial will follow immediately after.
Percy was born on Dec. 2nd, 1919 in Beckley, West Virginia to Grover Cleveland Smart and Goldie Mae Smart (Williams) where he was the 3rd oldest of 11 brothers and 1 sister. Percy grew up in Virginia where at 13yrs old he was sent to live with his grandfather and grandmother to help them with raising crops. He returned home at 15yrs old to assist his aging parents with farm work and other household needs. Percy and family moved near Critz, Virginia where he met and dated Irene C. Lawrence. When Irene moved to North Carolina, Percy “had to follow her” and they married on June 27, 1941 at Mt. Hermon United Methodist Church, just south of the Virginia/North Carolina border. Shortly after marriage, Percy got a job with Burlington Industries as a Loom technologist where he would work for 43 yrs.
Percy was a veteran of World War II where he enlisted in the Army in 1944 and was deployed to Okinawa, Japan. He served as a Private First Class with the 623rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron as a photographic laboratory technician. Percy returned home with a Victory Army of Occupation Medal and honorable discharge in 1947.
Percy and Irene eventually moved to a home in Graham, NC in 1953 where they spent a majority of their life raising a family with two sons, often summer vacationing in the Carolina beaches or Tennessee mountains. Percy and Irene eventually moved to Arizona in 2012. Percy and Irene were lovingly married for nearly 72 yrs.
Percy was an avid gardener, raising many types of fruits and vegetables, and loved repairing small engines in his workshop. He lived an active lifestyle, always on the move, even well up into his 90s where he walked daily, participated in ‘stretch and fit’, and was even known to wield a lawnmower on occasion. Percy was a spiritual man of deep faith, known to quote scripture and occasionally serve as stand in pastor or general handyman at his local church. Percy wore many hats, literally. He had a great sense of humor and an undaunting determination, yet a kind spirit and generous soul, deeply admired for his continued perseverance and never quit attitude. Percy was well loved by many and will be missed. He is truly happy to be marching with the saints.
Percy is preceded in death by his wife Irene Smart and son David Smart.
He is survived by his son Garry Smart (wife Jodi Smart), daughter-in-law Linda Smart, brother Harold Smart (wife Sue Smart), grandson Jeremy Smart (wife Jennifer White), great grandchildren Madelyn Smart and Paxton Smart, along with many nieces and nephews.
The family of Percy Smart wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all of The Gardens of Scottsdale staff and Hospice of the Valley.
