After 31 years in the Air Force, Daniel Smoak retired as a lieutenant colonel and began studying horticulture in hopes of raising orchids.
But when life took a turn and his brother Sam became ill with lung cancer, he returned to Augusta to help run the family business -- Smoak's Bakery, then on Central Avenue.
As owner and operator of the beloved business, Mr. Smoak, who died Friday, became a well-known fixture in the community. His 87 years of life were marked by service in three wars and hard work in the business arena, said his son, David Smoak.
"He had a dry sense of humor and was always upbeat. He was an Air Force officer and he was a commanding personality, but I felt like everyone liked him," his son said. "From my standpoint, I think he was really the best man I have ever known. I think he had a strong sense of family and family history."
Smoak's Bakery began in the early 1930s as an operation run from the kitchen of Daniel Smoak's mother. The bakery grew to include a catering service and moved to Walton Way in 1984.
David Smoak said his father inherited a business that was behind on bills and disorganized, but he eliminated the company's debt after just a year at the helm.
"He and my mother probably worked 18 hours a day for that full year getting the debt paid off," he said.
The family sold the company twice, once in the 1990s and again in 2000. The bakery closed in 2004.
During its years of operation, Smoak's Bakery earned 25 "Best of Augusta" awards from Augusta Magazine.
"He was an organizer and a planner and a good manager," his son said.
In the Air Force, Mr. Smoak fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Although he had contracted polio at age 12 and had a slight limp, that did not hinder his service, his son said. The limp was mostly just visible when he marched in formation, his son said.
"He went into the Air Force because he could fly better than he could walk," his son joked.
He also had stints in Paraguay, where he came to know Gen. Alfredo Stroessner, who held power as president for 35 years.
"Dad had a thousand stories of things that happened during his military service," his son said.
In addition to his son, Mr. Smoak is survived by his wife, Lillian Koger Smoak; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister; and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Memorials can be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3185 Wheeler Road.
Reach Erin Zureick at (706) 823-3217 or erin.zureick@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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This man was a REAL heroe! Air Force, businessman, family man. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
i can remember as a small boy going with my grandmother (who was a very close friend of Mrs Janie Smoak - the lady that started this Great Augusta landmark bakery) What a treat it was. I truly miss the bakery and seeing the members of this fine Augusta family. Too bad the grand or great grand children are not interested in starting it back....