On March 7, 2024, we lost our beloved husband, dad, grandfather (a/k/a Pop), friend and one person you could always count on. Lorne Smith, Jr was born on July 8, 1950. He graduated from Central High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. He joined the United States Marine Corp and was honored to be a “Proud Marine” until his dying day. He would stop and talk to anyone with a military cap, shirt or jacket to compare locations of where they were stationed. “Once a Marine, always a Marine” was truly his motto. He spent his early years in State government and in several different departments within the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, the last being Hunter Education Administrator. He was involved with the International Hunter Education Association, serving on the Board of the organization, two of which he served as President and then Past-President. While being President, he had the honor of representing the organization at the international meeting in Finland. He also was on the committee that wrote the Hunter Safety Manual used over the United States. He was passionate about hunting safety and the training of hunters in the proper use of firearms, bows and especially tree stands. He taught hunter education courses to many, many students while working at the Department and many years since his retirement. He also wrote and taught accident investigation and reconstruction to many law enforcement officers. He and John Louk with the Treestand Manufacturer’s Association taught courses to volunteer hunter education instructors on how to teach the national course and a course for law enforcement and investigators. They traveled to many states together over the years teaching these courses and were great traveling buddies, finding the best Mexican or barbeque restaurants on the way. He wanted to teach as many people as possible in order to get information to the hunters in order to save lives. The more he taught, the more lives he hoped to save. It was his wish that so many lives would be saved that it would make his job useless. He started Smith Investigation & Support Services, LLC, in 2000 and investigated and reconstructed hunting accidents. He was recognized across state and federal courts throughout the nation. Through his work he made many close friends that he greatly respected. He loved his family dearly. His joy was spending time with his wife Linda, his son, David (wife Tammy) and grandchildren, Victoria, Robert, Tanner, Jordan, Walker and Garrett, and his three great-grandbabies, Mallory, Allie and Grayson. He loved to go to sporting events, hunting with the guys and traveling. He and Linda loved traveling to foreign countries, the latest being this past fall on a Rhine River Cruise, and then an Alaskan trip to view the Northern Lights. He also loved spending time at his farm in Northern Kentucky. He was very proud of the fact that he had been in all 50 states, the last on his list was Idaho. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Visitation will be 10:00-11:00 with a service at 11:00. Natchez Trace Funeral Home, 759 Highway 51, Madison, Mississippi, is in charge of the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made in his name to the Treestand Manufacturer’s Association, P.O. Box 15214, Hattiesburg, MS 39404 to continue the work of safety education in order to save as many lives as possible, his passion in life. "Thanks Pop, We Love You So Much!"