Dr. Homer Alvin Smith, Jr. died on February 22, 2025. He was born on February 23, 1932 in Houston, Texas. He was predeceased by his parents, Homer Alvin Smith and Ada Bobbie DeVinney, and his wife of 58 years, Martha Ann Smith. Homer was a retired Professor of Chemistry and a resident of Lake Prince Woods in Suffolk.  He was a member of Suffolk Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his daughter, Melinda Anne Smith (Mark Duntley); son, Matthew Brian Smith; grandchildren, Sophia Smith Duntley (Austin Eckel), Leila Anne Duntley; great-granddaughter Adelaide Duntley; sister, Harriet Smith Lindblom; and niece, Beth Lindblom Patkus.

Homer received a B.A. from Rice University in Houston in 1953. After active service in the US Navy during the Korean War, he married Martha Ann Abendroth in 1959 and received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Oklahoma State University. During his long academic career, Homer served as a Professor of Chemistry at Tarkio College in Missouri; Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia; and Millikin University in Illinois. He was active in teaching, writing, and research and actively mentored countless students who sought careers in science, nursing and medicine. He was honored as Illinois Professor of the Year and served for many years as a Fellow in the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). In retirement, he continued to teach as an adjunct professor at colleges throughout the Peninsula area, including the College of William and Mary.

Homer was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as Elder and Clerk of Session as well as participating in local and regional Presbytery committees. He was an enthusiastic world traveler who particularly loved the music, food and wine of France. He was a dedicated supporter of the arts and in retirement volunteered as a docent at the Chrysler Museum and as a deeply involved sponsor and donor at the Virginia Opera. After his wife Martha's death in 2017, he took up competitive bridge, earning the title of Ruby Life Master, making countless friends, and participating in many local and regional matches and tournaments.

An inurnment service at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Opera, www.vaopera.org or to Hampden-Sydney College, www.hsc.edu. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.