John Jack W. Smith

CHESAPEAKE - John W. "Jack" Smith, LCDR, USN (Ret.), passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2011 in a local hospital after a brief illness. Jack was born in Kingston, PA. in 1933 and was raised in Clymer, PA. He enlisted in the Navy upon graduation from Clymer High School and served 28 years on active duty. He began his Navy career as an electricians mate aboard USS Tabberer (DE-418), and during his career completed many overseas deployments aboard USS Dukes County (LST-735), USS Embattle (MSO-434), USS Little Rock (CLG-4), USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), and USS Savannah (AOR-4). He also completed several shore assignments including security officer at SPCC Mechanicsburg, PA.; Inspection and Survey (INSURV) Board, Norfolk, VA.; and his final duty station as a ship superintendent at NNSY Portsmouth. He retired from active duty in 1978, but continued to serve the Navy in a civilian capacity at QED Systems Inc. where he developed repair plans for Navy ships until finally retiring in1995. He lived in Virginia Beach for many years, later moving to Chesapeake in 1994. He was a quiet man with a sharp wit and a surprising sense of humor; a devoted family man and husband; a fan of the Atlanta Braves, Washington Redskins, and most of all NASCAR's late, great Dale Earnhardt; and a proud Navy veteran. Jack was predeceased by his parents, Agnes and Jay W. Smith of Clymer, PA.; his brother, Jay D. Smith of Long Beach, CA.; and in 2002 by his wife, Catherine Marie Smith, a Clymer native. He is survived by his children: John M. Smith and his wife Susan of Chesapeake; Patricia L. Vredenburg and her husband, Eric of Houston, TX.; Christine M. Smith of Cochranville, PA.; and Martin J. Smith and his wife Kim of Virginia Beach. The family will receive friends at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel on Friday, May 27, 2011 from 6-8 pm. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Please visit Mr. Smith's memorial at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com