Obituary of Samuel Kreis Smith

Samuel Kreis Smith, an 11 year resident of Stamford and a former resident of Darien from 1959 to 1999, passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at Edgehill in Stamford. Born on November 5, 1915 in Knoxville, TN, he was the son of the late Dora Belle Kreis and Benjamin Franklin Smith. He was 95. Mr. Smith graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1940. He joined General Motors Acceptance Corp. (GMAC) in August of 1940 and after being granted a military leave, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II and was discharged with the rank of Major. He returned to GMAC in May of 1946 and continued his career that lasted more than 40 years. His talent and executive ability was recognized by GMAC when he was elected Vice President in charge of Overseas Operations on January 1, 1964. He continued his climb up the ranks at GMAC and was elevated to Chairman on May 6, 1980, serving as only the third Chairman in the company's 61-year history. He also served on many other different boards throughout his career. He was a former member of the Country Club of Darien. He is survived by his six children: Walter K. Smith of Old Saybrook, CT; Charles D. Smith and his wife Rita of Yorktown, VA; Roger B. Smith and his wife Ginny of Sandy Hook, CT; Sandra A. Metz of Towson, MD; Virginia S. Moynahan of Faifax, VA and Donna J. King and her husband Stephen of Glen Arm, MD; and 16 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Glen L. Smith of Atlanta, GA and one sister, Dora Lyn Kryder of Knoxville, TN. He was predeceased by his loving dedicated wife of over 50 years, Virginia Marjorie "Jean" Smith and his eight brothers and sisters. The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Friday, March 4, 2011 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. A Service will be held at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Ryan August King Pediatric Oncology Memorial Endowment, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Development Office, One Charles Center, 100 North Charles Street, Suite 234, Baltimore, MD 21204. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820