Frank Edward Smith, 80, of Indianola, Iowa, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Frank was born on September 4, 1945, in Arkansas to Kenneth and Marshall Smith. As a boy, his family moved to Iowa, first to Manchester, and later to Dunkerton, where he spent much of his youth. He and his brother Jerry were known for a little mischief and made many lifelong stories.

From an early age, Frank dreamed of flying. He worked at Davis Airfield in exchange for flight lessons, and earned his private pilot’s license there. It is also where he met his future wife, Marylin by giving her a plane ride.

Frank served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as an air traffic controller. After returning home, he continued his education with the Federal Aviation Administration, and spent many years guiding aircraft safely in the Des Moines Airport control tower. As an air traffic controller Frank earned many awards throughout his career.

His love of aviation extended far beyond his career. As a certified flight instructor, he helped many students earn their wings and made lifelong friends along the way. One of his favorite students was his son, Alan, whom he began teaching at a young age and later watched become a captain for UPS. Frank never missed a chance to share Alan’s success.

He took joy in hearing about his grandsons’ Caiden and Clayton’s baseball games and watching Hunter and Luke’s sprint car racing. His only granddaughter, Chloe, followed in his footsteps by earning her pilot’s license in high school and is continuing her education to be a commercial pilot. Frank looked forward to their conversations about what she was flying and to where.

Frank is survived by his wife, Marylin Smith; his son, Alan (Michelle) Smith; his daughter, Jennifer (Matt) Lane; his grandsons, Hunter (Kindra) Lane, Luke Lane, Caiden Smith, and Clayton Smith; his granddaughter, Chloe Lane; and his great-granddaughter, Amelia Lane.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Marshall Smith; his brothers, Alan Smith and Jerry Smith; and niece, Cindy Smith.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at a later date with inurnment at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Memorials in memory of Frank may be given to Kiya Koda in Indianola.