Joe A. Smith
December 4, 2017Share using:
Joe A. "Red" Smith, 88, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on December 4, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 8th, 2017 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road with Pastor Joshua Martyn officiating. Burial will follow in Dubuque Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 7th, 2017 at the funeral home.
Joe was born on February 24, 1929 in Donnellson, Illinois, the son of Cecil & Alta (Hampton) Smith. He married Bonnie Beresford on March 17, 1962.
Red was a carpenter all of his life until retirement. Most notably, he worked for Dick Loetscher Construction in Dubuque. He was member of the Carpenters Union and the Musicians Union for many years.
Red served as a Corporal in the United States Army from 1950-1952 during the Korean War, stationed in Port Whittier, Alaska.
Red grew up in a musical family and spent many years as a local musician, playing guitar and singing with several bands and musicians. He is well known as the leader of the Melody Makers, with his lovely wife by his side providing vocals. He also enjoyed fishing and spending time on the Mississippi on his boat with his family. The best of times was had at the River of Lakes Resort in Bagley, WI.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie (Beresford) Smith; his sons, Joseph Smith of Nashville, TN and Randy (Lisa) Smith of Dubuque; and a daughter, Karen (Roy) Mullins of Smyrna, TN. Six grandchildren, Randi (Kalen) Bales of Dubuque, Joey Smith of Grand Junction, CO, Matthew Mullins of Smyrna, TN, Leah Mullins of West Milford, NJ, and Clifford Mullins of Hendersonville, TN. Six great grandchildren, Noah, Jacob, Owen, Hatten, Eowyn and Violet. His sister, Phyllis (Doc) Dothager, of Powder Springs, GA, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters, Nelda Blankenship, Elaine "Tainey" Barth, and an infant Shirley; 3 brothers, Jim, Jack and an infant Carlton.
We would like to thank the nursing staff at Mercy Medical Center and Manor Care for their extraordinary care and compassion.
