Jefferson D. Smith Jr.

SMITH, Jr., Jefferson D. “Jeff”, 90, of Richmond, passed away August 7, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jefferson D. Smith, Sr. and Helen Hedgepeth Smith. He is survived by his devoted wife, Helen Sederstrom Smith; children, Jeff Smith III (Brenda), Pamela Smith, Kimberley McLean (Bill), and Lynnleigh Maloney (Michael); grandchildren, Megan Smith, Jeff Smith IV (Maggie), Lindsey McLean Simakhov (Vadim), Christine McLean Roberts (Nathan), Johanna Maloney, Helena Maloney, and Sebastian Maloney; and great grandchildren, Cooper Smith, Liam Simakhov, and Tucker Smith.

Mr. Smith’s career with the Retail Merchants Association and the credit reporting industry began in 1956. The Credit Bureau was a major profit center owned by the Retail Merchants Association. Under Mr. Smith’s leadership, it grew to a major company recognized nationally as one of the best run in the country. He negotiated the sale of the Credit Bureau with Equifax in 1987 for $23 million. This is significant because this made the Retail Merchants Association one of the wealthiest trade associations in the country, thus having the ability to become a significant power in our community. Mr. Smith was with the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond for 37 years, so it is difficult to separate the man from the Association. Mr. Smith served in the United States Army during World War II in field artillery observation, both as a field artillery observation pilot and a technical communications specialist. He conceived the “Tribute to the Troops” parade and production at the Diamond honoring those who served in Operation Desert Storm and all veterans who served in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The event was attended by over 12,000 people at the Diamond. He was designated a Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 1978. He was a Virginia Cultural Laureate Society VP and board member, as well a distinguished Association Executive for Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE), being the first recipient when it was established. He also served as President of VSAE, and was designated Association Executive of the year in 1992. Mr. Smith served as honorary parade marshal for the Jaycees /RMA Christmas parade in 1992. He was chairman of Associated Credit Bureaus of America, and a member of Public Relations Society of VA. He served as President of VA Credit Reporting Association, originated the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Virginia, the 100 Club of Metro Richmond and was instrumental in starting Crime Stoppers. He was a member of St. Peter’s Parish vestry (Episcopal) in New Kent County. Mr. Smith was a spokesman for retail industry on many news programs. He was a scoutmaster and an Explorer Post Commander where he was an Order of the Arrow recipient. He was also a former member of the Board of the Carpenter Center.

Mr. Smith was a professional business speaker all over the country on business and credit reporting. He loved people, and thrived on making new acquaintances. He never met anyone that wasn’t a friend because he knew that people always came first, both in business and in his personal life. He and his wife, Helen, were fortunate to travel the world together, making many memories along the way. In early retirement they spent time on his sail boat, “Renaissance”, in St. Thomas with close friend and captain, Bill McGrory of New Zealand. Friends and family often visited them on this adventure.

Visitation will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23231, on Monday, August 15, 2016 from 5 to 7 pm. Services will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 8400 St Peters Ln, New Kent, VA 23124, on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 2 pm, with interment to follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jeff’s beloved D-Day Memorial Foundation, 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, VA 24523 or St. Peters Church. Online condolences may be left at www.nelsenrichmond.com.