It is with the utmost respect and honor that we share the passing of our teammate and Brother Master Sergeant Nathaniel 'Nate' Smith Jr.
MSgt Smith was born on August 28, 1935 and died on May 1, 2022.
Master Sergeant Smith was a Vietnam Veteran and retired after 25 years of exemplar service as a
USAF Pararescue Specialist. His duties included supporting the Space program on all launches from Gemini through Sky lab. His Daughter Veronica McKrackin said Nate was especially proud of his service time as a Pararescueman and his time supporting the space program during the space race. His assignments included Okinawa, Hawaii and Eglin Air Force Base. After retirement from the USAF MSgt Smith continued his life of excellence as a business and community leader.
Mr. Nathaniel Smith, Jr. was the Founder, President and CEO of VerVal Enterprises, Inc., an award winning, minority-owned small business aerospace/defense contractor in business since 1979. As agraduate of the 8(a) program and a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Ver-Val Enterprises,
Inc. was honored to be the recipient of numerous awards for its outstanding achievements by the United States Department of Defense, NASA and the Small
Business Administration amongst other organizations. Below are just a few of Nate's business accomplishment and accolades:
- Minority Business Contractor of the Year, US Departments of Defense and Commerce, 1986
- Minority Federal Contractor of the Year, US Federal Government, 1986
- Regional Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year, 1985
- Regional finalist, Florida Department of Commerce Award, 1984
- US Small Business Administration Minority Small “Businessperson of the Year, 1984
- Small Minority Owned Business of the Year FY 1984, Kennedy Space Center NASA
- 8(a) Company of the Year Award Southeast Region, 1984
- US Small Business Administration 8 (a) contractor of the Year, 1983
- AMVETS Employer of the Year 1984
Services for Master Sergeant (Ret) Nathaniel Smith Jr. are tenatively scheduled for Friday May 6 2022. His Family will receive friends for the viewing starting at Noon (1200 hrs) followed immediately by a service starting at 1 PM (1300hrs) at the Life Center/Gregg Chapel AME Church. The Church is located at 15 Carson Drive, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Master Sergeant Nathaniel Smith internment/burial will be at his hometown of Midway
Georgia at a later date.
