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.
Smits is affiliated with the Nevada Test Site as the director of the property management division for the Department of Energy (DOE). Smits retired from the United States Navy in 1969 and retired from the Department of Energy in 1986.
Smits passed away on April 13, 2008. Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106759848/cornelius-john-smits