John "Jay" William Smith

John W. “Jay” Smith 92 of Tampa, a great man, passed away on December 20, 2016 at LifePath Hospice House. He was born in Vinton, Louisiana on December 18, 1924 to Ray and Vivian Smith. Jay was an Eagle Scout, pilot in the Army Air Corp during World War 2, and a “Rocket Scientist”. After graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering he worked for Douglas Aircraft, Boeing and retiring from NASA having worked 22 years on the Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle missions. He was also an accomplished artist and landscape painter, award winning radio controlled airplane pilot but most importantly a great, kind, generous, humorous, and thoughtful man. Jay is survived by his first family - daughter Julie Mattheaus (John Peck) and granddaughter Andrea “Andy” Grossman (James). He is also survived by his second family - daughter Patty Brinser (John), and sons - Larry Wilder (Anita), Garry Wilder (Brigitte), daughter-in-law Maria Wilder and many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and also an assortment of folks who loved him. John was predeceased by his wife Louise Wilder Smith, his parents, first wife Dorothy Weber Smith, brother Warren, sister Joice, son Ricky Smith and step-son Robert Wilder. A visitation and funeral service will be held at Garden of Memories 4207 E Lake Ave, Tampa, FL 33610 Wednesday December 28 Visitation at 10:00AM and Service at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, Jay requests that memorial donations be made to LifePath Hospice 3010 W Azeele St, Tampa, FL 33609 or the charity of your choice.