Harvey Walker Smith

Harvey Walker Smith, 95, of Ithaca, NY, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family in Saucier, MS on August 31, 2021.  He was the only child to Horace and Sara "Ruth" (Harvey) Smith, born November 7, 1925 in Ithaca, NY. Harvey was a wild child!!  Rambunctious and adventurous, growing up he didn't too much like being on peoples good side!! Preferring their bad side, he was always playing pranks and getting into something! Being the daredevil he was, Harvey rarely backed down from anything! From skipping school to racing cars on the highway, he was usually the one instigating the whole thing.  Harvey grew up in Ithaca,  he wrestled and boxed for Ithaca High School, where he graduated in the early 40's.  Harvey went straight on to college, where he studied engineering and earned his associates degree. As a young boy in high school taking flying lessons, it was there where he discovered his love of flying.  Going on to receive his pilots license, he would make a career out of his love for flying.  Harvey taught for the ROTC and even had his own business!  In the late fifties early sixties, Harvey would start flying crop dusters from Meridian to Texas.  Retiring back to Ithaca after his farther became ill, he taught private flying instructions to stay busy. Knowing the FAA took pilots until the age of 83,  and just because he was 83, he decided to go for it.  Harvey went on to pass the physical and all of the courses, but 83 was a little too much for the FAA.  There again a perfect example of the challenges Harvey accepted throughout his whole life and soared at!  Besides a ruff and tough daredevil,  there was also the protective, loving side of Harvey.  He was caring and compassionate about his family, loving his wife, Joan, for 71 years before passing just three days shy of also entering his eternal home.  Despite never getting a boy, he was a loving father to his daughter Melissa! He taught her all the "boy stuff" growing up, despite her feelings towards daredevil stunt flying! He will no doubt be fondly missed by all who knew and loved him. Harvey is preceded in death by his loving wife Joan (Westbrook) Smith; his parents Horace and Sarah "Ruth" (Harvey) Smith; and a great-grandson Anthony Thomas Porter.  Left to cherish all of the fun and exciting memories; his daughter Melissa (Steve) Porter of Saucier, MS; his grandkids Steven (Amy) Porter of Newfield, NY; Brandon (Kimberly) and Dustin ( Alaysha) Porter all of Saucier, MS; and Cody (Anyssa) Porter of Perkinston, MS. He leaves a legacy of eleven great grands and three great-great grands.  Harvey's wishes were to be cremated, which his family is honoring.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date provided by the Smith family. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Smith family during this difficult time and would ask that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days ahead.