Edward "Ed" Joseph Smith

Ed was a life long Papillion resident. He had a love of family, his service in the marines and as a Sarpy County Deputy sheriff. He also loved music and movies and would treat people to trivia and movie quotes from them. He came from a large family and was the youngest of 8 kids. He was a lifelong bachelor, but loved his nieces and nephews as his own. Family members who preceded him in death were parents Francis and Pauline (Curnyn) Smith, sisters Elizabeth and Rose Smith and brother-in-law Kirk Lawson. He leaves behind sisters Margaret Lawson, Theresa (Don) Hansen and brothers Patrick (Angie) Smith, Matthias Smith and Michael Smith, nieces and nephews Mary-Margaret Lawson, Daniel (Nichole) Lawson, DeeDee (Erick Maxwell) Lawson, Cole (Molly) Smith, Michaela (Tanner) Byrd, Katrina Hansen, Hunter Hansen, grand nieces/nephews Emerson, Owen, and Emmett Lawson, Millie and Piper Maxwell. His family grew once he joined the marines and the Sarpy County Sheriffs Department. He was proud of his time in the marines and loved to talk about it, the lessons learned and lifelong friendships he gained. During his time in the marines, he got the travel bug and acquired more of his love of music. Oh the stories he told of his time in the marines and as a deputy. He planned yearly travel to places and managed to find marine buddies to visit or stay with during his travels. He would meet strangers during his journeys and end up friends as well. His longest career was with the Sarpy County Sheriff as a Deputy. He started working in the jail, then was out on the road around Sarpy County before becoming a School Resource Officer in Gretna Public Schools. This role suited Ed best!! Ed being a big kid himself, he really enjoyed meeting and talking to the kids in Gretna. He especially loved when he would see one of them in a retro band t-shirt. He would quiz them about it and if they only came up with a common song, he would give them a different song to go home and look up and chat about the next day. If they knew more songs, Ed approved. He may also give them another similar band to look up or ask their parents about for next time. He enjoyed sharing his love of music with the kids. His knowledge of music was something he enjoyed across all genres. Buck's was a favorite spot for him. He would talk of Buck's and bands to all who would listen. He got a lot of joking about Cody Jinx being a favorite of his. Cody is doing ok on his own, but Ed also got a lot of family and friends to listen and enjoy many of his concerts as well as similar type of music. Ed lived his best life and we were all better for it with all of his stories shared. The world will be a little quieter without Ed, but our memories of him and all of his stories will be around to fill the void. The family has requested memorial be designated to the Gretna American Legion Post #216 and the Fraternal Order of Police #3. For those unable to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Columbkille Catholic Church you will be able to view the Livestream at the following link for St. Columbkille Catholic Church Link: https://www.youtube.com/@StColumbkilleParish/streams.