Jack A. Smith

Jack A. Smith, 89, of West Pierce Street, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at Lakeview Christian Home. There will be no public visitation. A Celebration of Life is scheduled at 6:00 PM, Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Lakeview Christian Home Activity Center. Jack Smith was born on a farm near Wheeler, Texas on March 12, 1922 to Bonner and Laura (Lamberth) Smith and was the third of six children. As a child he lived in various places in Wheeler, Moore, and Hartley counties in Texas. He was graduated from Dumas High School, Dumas, Teas, in 1939. He attended Abilene Christian College for two years and then returned from the US Army to complete a B.S. degree in 1947. He later gained an M.S. degree from New Mexico Highlands University and also studied at the University of Colorado, University of Kansas, New Mexico State University and Seattle Pacific University. Jack married Laura Jacoby in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1943. To them were born Jack, Michael, Aleta and Ruby. Ruby died in 1951 and his wife, Laura died in 1967. In 1968 he married Marian Horton in Carlsbad, NM, whose children are Linda and Richard. He is survived by his wife, Marian, the children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren (granddaughter, Kristy Koon died in 2000), 19 great-grandchildren and one sister, Patsy Coleman. Mr. Smith entered the army in 1941 and was discharged in 1945. He went overseas first in February 1942. He served in the Army Air Force Weather Service I the Caribbean, South America and Florida; attending technical schools in weather observing, weather forecasting and tropical meteorology. He was discharged as a Technical Sergeant. After the wartime service, he served 11 years in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard of Texas and of Ohio. He began preaching as a Minister of the Gospel in 1947 and served a number of churches part time while working at other jobs. He has been a member of Sunset Church of Christ in Carlsbad since 1962. He spent 14 years in the chemical industry, working for Phillips Chemical Company and Sohio Chemical Company in various positions. He was Chief Chemist for Sohio Chemical for six years. He was in the education field for 25 years, primarily at New Mexico State University-Carlsbad as an Associate Professor. He was Development Director and Administrator for Lakeview Christian Home for six years and as a Chaplain for ten years. He has also been a volunteer at Lakeview since 1963. He was a part-time chemical consultant for over 25 years. He served a short time as acting manager for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce in 1986, and served in the Peace Corps in Jamaica. Mr. Smith has been listed in Who's Who in the West and in Who's Who in Science and Technology. He is an emeritus member of the American Chemical Society and has been a member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, American Management Association, Physics Teachers Association, American Association for the Advancement of Science and Boy Scouts (as a scout and as an adult leader). He is a member of the Republican Party and has served on county and central committees. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeview Christian Home, 1905 West Pierce Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.