Cornelius John Smits was born on July 2, 1919, in Newark, New Jersey. Cornelius married Joan Owen on December 15, 1979, and they had five children: Eugene, Jill, Stuart, Sally, and Mary.
Smits obtained his bachelor of arts degree and master of arts degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Smits was enlisted in the United States Navy for thirty years.