Former Associated Press technician Ed Smith dies at 71

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Charles Edwin “Ed” Smith, whose 40-year career as a technician for The Associated Press included working at major sports and political events, has died. He was 71.
Cremations Options Inc. of Knoxville says Smith died July 10 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.
Smith was born in Nashville and attended Austin Peay State University. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and was on the recovery ship during the return of NASA&rs