Henry D. Smith passed away on June 24, 2026, at the age of 91.
Born on November 2, 1934, in Bluefield, Virginia, Henry was the son of Henry C. Smith and Clarice C. Smith. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Phyllias P. Smith, who passed away on April 17, 2024.
His memory and legacy are lovingly carried on by his daughter, Andrea C. Baker, and her husband, Kevin Baker; his grandchildren, Anaia Baker and Samuel Baker; his son, David C. Smith, and his wife, Susan Smith; and his grandson, David E. Smith.
Henry graduated from Princeton High School in Princeton, West Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech. A licensed Professional Engineer in both Virginia and West Virginia, he dedicated his career to engineering excellence and innovation.
A faithful member of Bland Street United Methodist Church in Bluefield, West Virginia, Henry served his church in numerous capacities over the years, reflecting his deep commitment to his faith and community.
Henry proudly served his country in the United States Army Artillery and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.
For nearly 40 years, Henry was employed by PEMCO Corporation, where he held several leadership roles, including Vice President of Engineering, Corporate Secretary, and member of the Board of Directors.
Throughout his professional life, Henry remained active in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), becoming a Life Member. He authored and presented numerous technical papers and served as an IEEE delegate to ANSI C57, contributing to the development of national transformer standards.
In retirement, Henry pursued his passion for writing. He authored four mystery novels in the Josh Draper series, which found fans around the world.
Above all, Henry will be remembered for his intelligence, integrity, quiet dedication, and the love he shared with his family, friends, colleagues, and community.
The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home in Bluefield, West Virginia on Monday, July 27, 2026 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 12:00 pm at Bland Street Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, West Virginia.
