Adrian (A.J) Tyrone Smiley, Jr.
1976-02-20 2019-11-23
Adrian Tyrone Smiley Jr., commonly known as A.J., 43, of Fayettville, North Carolina, died November 23, 2019, peacefullly in his home that he shared with his beloved son, Alexander (Alex) A.J. was orn on February 20, 1976 in Indianapolis, IN at Methodist Hospital to Adrian Sr. and Carolyn (Lackey) Smiley. A.J. attended Washington Township Schools, graduating from North Central High School in 1994 and attending Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis.
A.J. began working at a very young age. At the age of three, A.J. began modelling and taping commercials for the Helen Wells Modeling Agency. His infamous televisiion commercial was the for Marsh Groceries airing during a Final Four Basketball Tourmnament. Once old and big enough, A.J. caddied at the Highland Country Club Golf Course.
At the age of 25 years, A.J. decided to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army, enlisting in April 2001. Early in his service, A.J. received Airborne trainng to earn the Parachutist Badge and become a Network System and I.T. Specialist. Shortly after September 11, 2001, the army deployed A.J. to Iraq for one year. After reenlisting, A.J. also served two years in Korea. When in the U.S. he was stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C. After 15 years of service and receiving many comerdation medals and awards, the U.S. Army honorably discharged Sergeant Smiley in May 2016.
A.J. was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Joseph Lackey Sr. (Indianapolis, IN) and his paternal grandparents, Rev. Richjard Gordon and Amanda Gordon (Murfreeboro, TN). He leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Alexander Terrel Smiley; his parents, Adrian Sr. and Carloyn Smiley, his sister Leah (Smiley) Nirrengarten (Matthew); his nephew and niece Gavin and Georgia Nirrengarten; his grandmother, Lelia Lackey; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
A.J. began working at a very young age. At the age of three, A.J. began modelling and taping commercials for the Helen Wells Modeling Agency. His infamous televisiion commercial was the for Marsh Groceries airing during a Final Four Basketball Tourmnament. Once old and big enough, A.J. caddied at the Highland Country Club Golf Course.
At the age of 25 years, A.J. decided to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army, enlisting in April 2001. Early in his service, A.J. received Airborne trainng to earn the Parachutist Badge and become a Network System and I.T. Specialist. Shortly after September 11, 2001, the army deployed A.J. to Iraq for one year. After reenlisting, A.J. also served two years in Korea. When in the U.S. he was stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C. After 15 years of service and receiving many comerdation medals and awards, the U.S. Army honorably discharged Sergeant Smiley in May 2016.
A.J. was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Joseph Lackey Sr. (Indianapolis, IN) and his paternal grandparents, Rev. Richjard Gordon and Amanda Gordon (Murfreeboro, TN). He leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Alexander Terrel Smiley; his parents, Adrian Sr. and Carloyn Smiley, his sister Leah (Smiley) Nirrengarten (Matthew); his nephew and niece Gavin and Georgia Nirrengarten; his grandmother, Lelia Lackey; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.