Frank Oswell Smith's Obituary
Frank Oswell Smith Jan 29, 1945, Bowling Green, OH — April 14, 2026, Milton, DE
Frank O. Smith loved, and was loved, deeply.
He was born in Bowling Green, Ohio, and raised by his grandmother in rural Florida. Frank learned early that little in life came easy, and never once let that get in his way. He loved his siblings fiercely and fought for them when no one else would. After high school, he and two lifelong friends enlisted together in the United States Army, and shipped off to Vietnam. Only Frank came home. He carried those friends with him for the rest of his life. His loyalty to veterans — of any branch, any era, any war — was absolute and unwavering.
The Army took him far: two tours in Vietnam, then Taiwan, Germany, Panama, and Turkey, before he retired in 1986. It was in Taiwan that he met his wife, Shou-Ling, and the family that came with her — her sisters, brother, and parents. They looked at this lanky, blond, six-foot kid from Florida and (after some discussion) decided to keep him. They never looked back. Neither did he. He and Shou-Ling were married 51 years. They raised two sons, welcomed three grandchildren, and collected a constellation of beloved nephews and nieces along the way. Their life together was full, loving and, by any measure, a remarkable thing.
Frank loved celebrating Lunar New Year with his family, particularly the part where he won money from the grandkids and nephews at cards. He loved fishing. He loved the spring, when the clematis around his mailbox finally bloomed. And he loved taking the long way home. A 20-minute drive with Frank could easily become 45, filled with stories everyone had heard before, peppered with observations about what was new in the neighborhood. After retiring from the Army, he worked as an IT director at the Social Security Administration until retirement in 2016, with one notable detour working for Ross Perot, about which he was quite proud. He was stubborn. He was funny. He was generous. He was so proud of his kids. He loved Maryland crabs and watching Caitlin Clark play basketball. Somewhere, we hope he is with Shou-Ling, smoking a cigarette, playing a game of Mahjong, eating some crabs.
Frank was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shou-Ling; his parents and grandmother; his sisters Jennie, Erlene, and Lunda; and brother Nathan. He is survived by his two devoted sons, Frank Smith Jr. (Laveda Roy), and Patrick Smith (Sarah Lowe); brother Bob; three grandchildren, Alycia Smith, Zachary Smith, and Ko Staudenmaier; and a wide circle of nephews, nieces, family, and friends who loved him well.
Over the last few weeks of his life, he was walked home by his sons, his grandchildren, his nephews and niece, and his closest friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to the VFW or a veteran's foundation of your choice.
A Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Clarksville Chapel, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Frank’s final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery, where he will receive full military honors
Please sign the tribute wall located on this website.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL FLOWERS DELIVERED ON FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026 BY 3PM. TO OUR OCEAN VIEW LOCATION.
What’s your fondest memory of Frank?
What’s a lesson you learned from Frank?
Share a story where Frank's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Frank you’ll never forget.
How did Frank make you smile?