Lucius Skinner Smith III

	Lucius Skinner Smith III passed away December 2, 2003 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease and related complications.  He was the son of the former publisher of the Du Quoin Evening Call and grandson of the former President of Du Quoin State Bank.
	After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Smith joined the Marines as a flyer, serving in the South Pacific.  Achieving the rank of Lt. Col., Smith earned several decorations for his heroics  as a member of the Cactus Air Force in the battle of Guadalcanal.
	Besides working at the Call, Smith worked for many years at  the Hearst-owned Boston Herald American.  During the 1970's he was one of the first to editorialize that Richard Nixon and his staff  were committing crimes against America.  Smith also worked in Washington, facilitating the bill that established Keogh plans, the forerunner to IRA's and 401K plans.
	Smith was a key force in the creation of the Freedom Train, which traveled around the country celebrating the 1976 Bicentennial.
	In his later years, he worked diligently with Washington congressional leaders to establish health benefits  for military veterans who had been exposed to radiation during the initial atomic bomb tests.  This work led to his efforts to successfully establish the Atomic Energy exhibition at the Truman Presidential Museum and Library in Independence, Mo.
	Luc Smith is survived by his devoted wife, Maria; his sister and brother, Mary and Hoxie, as well as his daughter, Suzy and two sons, Bret and Tony.  He will be met in heaven by his two older brothers, Duffy and Sandy.  He will be greatly missed by all.
	A memorial service for Lucius Smith was held Saturday, December 6 at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on North Washington Street.  A reception  followed at the Smith home.
