FAYETTEVILLE — Retired Army Sgt. Maj. Johnie Smotherman Jr., of Fayetteville, passed away, at the age of 83, on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. He was born in Conway, Ark., Jan. 8, 1929. He served two years in the Navy during the last 18 months of World War II in Hawaii. He later joined the Army and served in Korea during the Korean war. He served for eight years as a Jump Instructor in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. When the jump school was relocated to Fort Benning, Ga., he became a Green Beret in special Forces, where he spent the rest of his military career as a medic, serving two tours of Vietnam. After his two tours of Vietnam, he trained new medics and prepared them for combat duty. He remained on jump status during his entire Army career and proudly served his country for over 23 years until his retirement October 1969. He earned many medals, awards and citations during his military career but remained a modest person who rarely spoke of his many accomplishments. A funeral service will be held Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, at 1 p.m. in Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home chapel in Fayetteville, with the burial following in Cumberland Memorial Gardens with military honors. The family will receive friends today, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home. He was a loving husband, daddy, grandpa, brother and loyal friend and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Louise; his two devoted daughters, Linda Jackson and Judy Blankenship; two proud sons, Johnie and Larry Smotherman; three adoring sisters, Wanda Hamm, Mary Ann Collins and Helen Sublett. There are also many nieces, nephews and cousins who meant so much to him. There were some special loves of his life, 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-granddaughter. Some of his favorite activities were golf, bowling, fishing and dominoes, which he especially loved to play and normally won, and spending time with his family.The family will receive friends Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 from 7-9 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 1 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Chapel Burial will follow in Cumberland Memorial Gardens with military honors.