Art retired from the Air Force in 1993 after almost 26 years of service in many positions including command pilot, squadron commander, and instructor pilot. He was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War where he was a U S Air Force forward air controller attached to the US Army's 4th Infantry Division. His military decorations  include two Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, five Meritorious Service Medals, 12 Air Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and other honors too numerous to list here.

Lieutenant Colonel Smith received a Quilt of Valor this past Veteran's Day, 

November 11th, 2022, at the Mauldin Cultural Center. The Quilt of Valor Foundation indicates the Quilt of Valor is our award to service members and veterans who have been touched by war. It says, thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation. 

After leaving the Air Force, Art and his family moved to Simpsonville. He worked at Greenville Technical College under two presidents, Dr. Tom Barton and Dr. Keith Miller, for 20 years. His positions included Dean of Enrollment Management, Department Head of Humanities, and Professor of History. Art’s community service includes twenty plus years serving on the Greenville County Board of Zoning & Appeals and over a decade as a vice chairman. He has been active with Meals on Wheels and the Greenville area Parkinson's Society. Art also has been a soccer referee over 15 years officiating throughout the southeast and attained the level of the United States Soccer Federation State Referee. 

In 2006, Art was designated as the South Carolina Youth Soccer Association (SCYSA) Adult Referee of the Year. 

Art and his wife, Leize, are members of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Simpsonville.■