G.Y.G. lived a joyful and eventful life. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a Master Chief Photographer after serving in World War II, Korean and Vietnam campaigns as a combat photographer. He was also a master camera craftsman (camera repairman) and had his own National Camera ServiShop (Smyda Photography) in Panama City, Fla., before retiring from civilian life. Eugene was the chief photographer for The Plain Truth magazine when he lived in California and Texas and taught photography at Tyler Junior College and Ambassador College in Texas.

Members of his family who are still here on earth are his sons Bryan Eugene Smyda and wife, Laurie, residing in Brandon, Miss.; John Michael Smyda and wife, Becky, plus five grandchildren: Jessica, Jonathan, Jacob, Juliann and Jared, residing i West Blockton, Ala.; James Barry Smyda and wife, Linda, residing in Cedar Hill, Texas; daughter Vivian Irene Smyda and husband, Ray, residing in Abilene, Texas; a brother, Edward S. Smyda, and his wife, Helen, who reside in Rochester, N.Y.