Michael Scott “Mike” Smith, 50, of Falls Church, Va., went to rest on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012.

Born May 15, 1961, in Martinsburg, he was the son of David Lee Smith and Patricia Keesecker Smith of Lebanon, Pa.

He was a member of The Moler Avenue Church of the Brethren.

Mike was a 1979 graduate of Jefferson High School, attended Shepherd College and is a graduate of Marshall University.

In Mike’s early years, he was a chef with the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown and the Washington Hilton. Mike was currently Stratos Government Services Inc’s (SGSI), which is now INMARSAT, vice president of Government Services for Mobile and Fixed Satellite Voice, Fax and Data Products and Services including INMARSAT, IRIDIUM, MSV/ SkyTerra and Ku Band Services. Mike currently managed direct sales to the U.S. Department of Defense, federal, state and local markets both directly and through distribution partners as well as managed the DITCO Inmarsat contract program. Mike had a successful and impressive 21-year record of serving all markets and organizations in the wireless telecommunications industry, including the Department of Defense, Military Sealift Command, Army National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, White House Communications Agency and the U.S. State Department.

Prior to joining Stratos in 1998, Mike held positions at Iridium North America, COMSAT Mobile Communications, Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile and Bell Atlantic Paging. In every one of these positions, Mike introduced emerging and innovative wireless solutions to the government market and customers including the introduction and very first customers for INMARSAT Mini-M and GAN GEO satellite services, the Iridium LEO satellite service, the first cellular circuit-switched and packet (CDPD) data services and the first alphanumeric paging services.

Mike has consistently been recognized for excellence including Stratos’ highest and first Pinnacle 2 Award for exceptional breakthrough achievements that bring significant and lasting business benefit to Stratos for his aggressive, confident and resourceful approach to account development and management in the government sector.

Mike was recognized with COMSAT’s “Key Employee” award in his first year and Bell Atlantic’s “President Cabinet” award each and every year for seven straight years. Mike earned his bachelor of business administration and marketing degree from Marshall University with minors in both English and Math.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by the pride of his life, his children Kathryn “Katie” Michelle Smith and Wesley Michael Smith; one brother, David Smith Jr., of Lebanon, Pa.; two sisters Ruth Ann Ransdell and husband, Ty, of Newberry, S.C., and Victoria “Vickie” Smith, of Martinsburg; nephews David Smith III, Brandon Smith, Dustin, Aaron and Logan Ransdell; and great-nephews Austin, Daeton, Logan and Julian Smith.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Herbert “Red” and Estelle Smith; and maternal grandparents, Elmer and Pearl Keesecker.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Moler Avenue Church of the Brethren with Pastor Eddie Edmonds officiating. Interment was in Pleasant View Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Michael Smith Memorial Youth Fund, c/o St. Francis Episcopal Church, 10033 River Road, Potomac, MD 20854 or to the Michael Smith Memorial Youth Fund, c/o Moler Avenue Church of the Brethren, 136 E. Moler Ave., Martinsburg, WV 25404.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date in the Washington, D.C., area.

Arrangements by Brown Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.