Raymond Michael Sminkey, FTMC, USN (Ret), passed away March 29, 2020 after a long illness.  He was proceeded in death by his wife, Helen Louise Sminkey. He is survived by his four children; Jacqueline Holmes (Mark), Joann Wirth (Joseph), Raylene Askin (Brian), Raymond Sminkey (Sarah), eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Raymond (Mike) Sminkey FTMC, USN entered active duty on July 8th 1964. He was a Plank Owner of the USS Truxton DLG(N)-35 and deployed as part of the USS Enterprise task force to Vietnam from January to July of 1968. In his 20 year career he also served onboard the USS Farragut DLG-6, USS Dahlgren DLG-12, and the USS Biddle DLG-34. Chief Sminkey retired from active duty on July 24th 1984. His awards and decorations include: Navy Good Conduct Medal; Navy Expeditionary Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Service Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Campaign Medal; and Sea Service Ribbon.  After his service to the Navy, he went on to work for RCA/Lockheed Martin as a Tech Writer/Test Methods Engineer until retirement. Throughout his life he also served as a volunteer firefighter in many communities, his last service was with the Palmyra Fire Department as a Fire Police.

Fair Winds and Following Seas Chief. Your Family, Friends and Shipmates have the watch.

Services will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the American Heart Association.