John S. Smith, Sr., 68, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on March 16, 2016. He was born April 7, 1947 in Kansas City, Missouri to Melba L. (Johnson) Smith and Lloyd Richard Smith. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother Donald Smith and aunt Texanna Price. John was educated in the public schools of Kansas City, Missouri and was a graduate of Lincoln High School in the class of 1967. Following graduation, John served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He later furthered his education at DeVry University,becomingthe first black Biomedical Engineer in Kansas City and worked in that field for nearly fifty years. John had recently retired from General Electric Medical in November of 2015. John married Dorothy Brooks and to this union there were born three sons, John Jr., Rodney and Tyre; and three daughters, Tamirria, Tondra and LaTonya. This union was later dissolved. John later met and married the love of his life, Sheila Veronica Morris and created from this union was their son, Clinton and two daughters,Savannah and Mariah. John leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Sheila Veronica; four sons, John Jr., Rodney, Tyre and Clinton; fivedaughters, Tamirria, Savannah, Mariah, LaTonya and Tondra; three stepsons, Willard, Marcus Sr., and Marland; two stepdaughters, Mickayla and Moriana; siblings, Ronald (Linda), Valerie (Jesper), Christopher Sr. (Hilda), Melvin and his best friend, Curtis Johnson whom he thought of as a brother; and a host of grandchildren, cousins, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 26, 11:00 a.m. at Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Interment Blue Ridge Lawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the chapel. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on this website.