The family of Drewry McRee Smith Jr., sadly announces that he passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 19, while on vacation in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Mr. Smith was born in Norfolk in 1917. He was the only child of two remarkable people. His mother, Marrow Stuart Smith, was the granddaughter of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, and made her own reputation as a prominent local artist and longtime director of art studies for the Norfolk schools. His father, Drewry Sr., was a direct descendent of James Iredell, Justice of the Supreme Court, and of James Iredell Jr., former governor of North Carolina. Mr. Smith Sr. was, himself, a qualified lawyer, writer, linguist and administrative consultant.
After granduating from Maury High School in 1935, Mr. Smith attended V.P.I., earning his degree in electrical engineering in 1939. Immediately thereafter, he worked for the U.S. government as a physicist and engineer, a key member of several professional teams that pioneered various top secret technologies, which eventually changed the course of World War II.
Married in 1946 to the former Faith Samson, he found that his skills were much in demand in the post-war aerospace industries of California, and in 1952 he reluctantly left his beloved Virginia to work for Hughes Aircraft, Douglas Aircraft and Atomics International. As a senior engineer, his last position was with the U.S. Navy Weapons Testing Center at China Lake, Calif.
Mr. Smith retired in 1970, having experienced some continuing difficulties with his eyesight. By now divorced, he returned to Virginia, living at London Bridge and caring for his aged parents until their deaths in 1974 and 1985.
He remained in the family home, Drewmar-on-the-Lynnhaven, until 1988, when he moved to California to be near his children.
Mr. Smith was a man of broad interests, including the study of economics, political science, international affairs, medicine, writing and even cartooning. He had several inventions to his credit, including a type of jet engine. In 1958 he began the study of Spanish and continued in his studies until his death, in particular enjoying his enrollment in language school in Mexico, living with a local family, when he was 74 years of age.
He leaves a daughter, Sharon McRee (Galen Griepp) of Glendale, Calif., and a son, Drewry McRee Smith III (Cathy), of Mission Viejo, Calif.; and three grandchildren, ages 12, nine and four.
A memorial service was conducted at Eastern Shore Chapel in Virginia Beach on Sunday, Oct. 16.

Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - October 18, 1994 Page B7
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