Alvin Carl Smith, born October 16, 1938 in Edmore, MI went home to be with his Lord on September 6, 2008 at Medilodge in Rochester Hills, MI at the age of 69 following a prolonged illness. He was a member of the Coldwater Free Methodist Church and Gideons International. He graduated from Remus High School in 1957 and Radio Electronic Television Schools in Detroit in 1959. He earned a private pilot's license and made several cross country flights and three mountain search and rescue flights. He also held an FAA Mechanics license and Inspection Authority. His career included employment with: Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, WA, where he tested electronics of the Lunar Orbiter 1 and other aircraft; Alaska Airlines; Coldwater Cablevision; Branch County Aviation; and Kal-Aero, Inc. in Kalamazoo, MI (later Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek, MI) where he worked as an airplane mechanic and inspector. Alvin resided in Coldwater, MI for most of his life where he and his former wife, Carol, raised their children. Because he valued education, one of his proudest accomplishments was sending both of his daughters to good colleges. Always at home in the outdoors, Alvin enjoyed raising vegetables, cutting firewood, tending honeybees, and fixing anything that needed to be fixed. He had a very generous heart and felt that if he had enough to eat and pay his bills, he should give the rest to those in need. He is remembered for always being willing to help family and friends as well as complete strangers. Even in difficult situations, Alvin had a ready laugh and could find the humor in life. He is survived by his two daughters and their husbands: Cathy (Smith) and Wesley "Chip" Douglas, Jr. of Oxford, MI; and Sonya Smith Wong and Craig Wong of Philadelphia, PA. He is also survived by: two grandchildren, Shawn and Caitlin Douglas; four siblings, Veral Smith of Moyie Springs, ID, Leward Smith of Lake City, FL, Naoma Cranston of Greer, NC, David Smith of Remus, MI; and one aunt, Carrie Smith of Howard City, MI. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Brenda Sue, and his parents Carl and Ethel Smith of Remus, MI. Services will be held 1 p.m., Thursday, September 11th at the Barryton Church of God with visitation from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. Arrangements are through Daggett Funeral Home, Barryton, MI. Memorials may be made to Gideons International. The family requests that all who read this notice will honor Al by helping someone in need.