John R. Smith Jr.

John was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on October 8, 1942, where his dad was stationed with the United States Navy during World War II.

Once John’s dad was discharged from the Navy, his family moved back to Beaumont, Texas, where he was raised. John was an adventurous boy, playing in the piney woods. He would tell his children stories about taking his BB gun into the woods in his Davy Crockett hat and having fun with his friends. John was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He played football for French High School, earning recognition for his success as Center for the Buffalos. John was Senior Class President and Salutatorian of his class of 1961 and began college at Lamar Tech in Beaumont, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1965. That Summer, he married his junior high sweetheart, Dinea Hooks, in Beaumont, and they moved to Houston, Texas, for the Summer, working for the Texas Highway Department. They then moved at the end of the Summer to Austin, Texas, where John continued his education in Electrical Engineering at the University of Texas. He received his Master of Science and then his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering in 1969.

John or Johnny as called by many relatives, was a devoted son, husband, and father. He and Dinea were married fifty-eight years until her death just two and half months before his death. His family knew John and Dinea would not be able to live apart too long after being together almost all their life. He was active in his children’s lives, serving in his son Michael’s scout troops, going to his sporting games, serving with Dinea in the PTA for their daughter’s elementary school, going to her softball games, and music recitals, and being available whenever he was needed by his family. He loved to fish. The family would go to various Texas lakes, along with his brother Steve and his family, on mostly successful and fun fishing trips. The Smith family was active at First Baptist Church of Round Rock, where John served on several church committees and taught elementary school boys Sunday school. He also served as a committee member at Hunter’s Glen Baptist Church in Plano. He was a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church at the time of his death. His colleagues, friends, and his children’s friends respected John well.

John and Dinea moved to Houston to begin his over two-decade career at Texas Instruments after he earned his Ph.D. After six years in Houston, where their daughter and son were born, the family relocated to Round Rock, TX. They were active in church, civic, and school activities until they moved to Plano, Texas in 1988 when John was transferred to the Dallas TI location. John began working for the Thomas Group in the early 1990s as a business consultant. He had many engaging customers, including a parking meter company, an airline catering department, and the one he was most proud to work with, the United States Navy. John retired ten years later.

John is survived by his brother, Stephen Lynn Smith (Sharon) of Marquez, Texas. He is also survived by his daughter, Margaret Ann Smith of Plano, Texas, his son, Michael Stephen Smith (Kelly) of Richardson, Texas, and his much-loved grandchildren Jordan Harper Smith and Garrett Lawson Smith. His nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews loved their Uncle Johnny. He always entertained them with stories about his childhood, the most famous one being about his “friend Freddy.”

John was predeceased by his devoted wife of fifty-eight years, Dinea Hooks Smith, his mother, Katherine Netterville Smith Leonard, father John Roscoe Smith, brother, Jeffery Lee Smith, and step-father, Robert Leonard.

The Smith Family would like to sincerely thank those who have reached out and offered support during this challenging time in our lives. John lived with an attitude of doing whatever he needed to do to be there for his family. He was a man of great character and work ethic.

If you wish to honor your memory of John tangibly please send flowers to Ted Dickey West Funeral Home (7990 President George Bush Tpke, Dallas, TX 75252) or consider donating, in place of flowers, to Faith Presbyterian Hospice, the T. Boone Pickens Center for Hospice Care (https://www.faithpreshospice.org/support/) in memory of John R. Smith, Jr., where Dad lived his last days. Their care was comforting and gave John and his children great peace.

A visitation for John will be held Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 7990 President George Bush, Turnpike, Dallas, TX 75252. A funeral service will occur Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 7990 President George Bush, Turnpike, Dallas, TX 75252. A committal service will occur Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 3900 Rowlett Road, Rowlett, TX 75088.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com for the Smith family.