John "Jack" R. Smith
September 24, 1941 — April 5, 2023
John Richard (Jack) Smith was born at home in Dow City, Iowa on September 24, 1941, to his parents Zara D. (Keehner) Smith and Charles J. Smith. He had one sibling- his proud older sister Beverly (Smith) Egan. Jack spent most of his youth raised on the family farm in Dow City. As a young boy, he was known for his red, curly hair. He graduated from Dow City High School in 1959. He was Senior Class President and Salutatorian. He played the piano, the clarinet, and sang from a young age. Jack loved baseball and was a life-long Giants fan. He was an avid chess player and champion; he cared about animals, enjoyed bowling and poker, studying Science, Math, and Russian, and found peace sitting in nature. For many, Jack is most well-known for his LOVE of vanilla ice cream and his passion for the horse races!
Jack entered Iowa State College in Ames, IA and studied Astronomy and Physics. He left college and joined the United States Air Force in September 1964. He became a Russian Language Specialist and was stationed in Wakkanai, Japan during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in September 1968 having earned the rank of Sergeant. Jack was a patriotic and humble veteran and enjoyed reminiscing about his time in the service. Following the Air Force, he joined his father in his small-town insurance agency.
Jack met his wife, Kathy (White) Smith, on September 16, 1975, at a ballroom dance at Peony Park in Omaha, Nebraska. Their first dance was a Waltz. After meeting Kathy, Jack returned to college at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to finish his degree in Actuarial Sciences. He proposed marriage to Kathy on May 11, 1976, while waltzing again at Peony Park. Music was always an important part of their life together. Jack and Kathy were married on July 9, 1977, in Pocahontas, Iowa. They had been married 45 years and 9 months at the time of his passing.
Jack and Kathy adopted their baby daughter, Rachel, in December 1979. They adopted their second baby daughter, Sarah, in November 1981. Kathy gave birth to their premature twin daughters, Emily and Erin, in July 1984. Emily returned to God two days later.
Jack and Kathy raised their girls in Omaha, Nebraska. As a father, Jack excelled at helping with homework and filling up gas tanks, served as a willing chauffeur, was a consistent fan in the bleachers, and used the girls as an excuse to go get ice-cream! His children were also the only 2nd and 3rd graders who could explain a trifecta!
Jack worked as an Actuary at Mutual of Omaha for 26 years. Shortly after, he was recruited out of retirement by Physician’s Mutual until he retired for good in May 2008. During his career, he made many deep and lasting friendships. Jack placed high value on friendship, striving to keep in close contact with childhood best friends from Dow City, Air Force buddies, and friends from work, up until his serious illness progression the past year.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Emily, his parents, Zara and Charles Smith, his sister and brother in-law, Beverly and Roger Egan, and his maternal uncle and aunt, Victor (Bud) and Myrtle Keehner,
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Smith of Columbia, SC, his daughters Rachel K. Smith, Sarah E. Smith and Erin M. Smith, and his nephew, Todd Egan of San Jose, CA
Jack entered Iowa State College in Ames, IA and studied Astronomy and Physics. He left college and joined the United States Air Force in September 1964. He became a Russian Language Specialist and was stationed in Wakkanai, Japan during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in September 1968 having earned the rank of Sergeant. Jack was a patriotic and humble veteran and enjoyed reminiscing about his time in the service. Following the Air Force, he joined his father in his small-town insurance agency.
Jack met his wife, Kathy (White) Smith, on September 16, 1975, at a ballroom dance at Peony Park in Omaha, Nebraska. Their first dance was a Waltz. After meeting Kathy, Jack returned to college at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to finish his degree in Actuarial Sciences. He proposed marriage to Kathy on May 11, 1976, while waltzing again at Peony Park. Music was always an important part of their life together. Jack and Kathy were married on July 9, 1977, in Pocahontas, Iowa. They had been married 45 years and 9 months at the time of his passing.
Jack and Kathy adopted their baby daughter, Rachel, in December 1979. They adopted their second baby daughter, Sarah, in November 1981. Kathy gave birth to their premature twin daughters, Emily and Erin, in July 1984. Emily returned to God two days later.
Jack and Kathy raised their girls in Omaha, Nebraska. As a father, Jack excelled at helping with homework and filling up gas tanks, served as a willing chauffeur, was a consistent fan in the bleachers, and used the girls as an excuse to go get ice-cream! His children were also the only 2nd and 3rd graders who could explain a trifecta!
Jack worked as an Actuary at Mutual of Omaha for 26 years. Shortly after, he was recruited out of retirement by Physician’s Mutual until he retired for good in May 2008. During his career, he made many deep and lasting friendships. Jack placed high value on friendship, striving to keep in close contact with childhood best friends from Dow City, Air Force buddies, and friends from work, up until his serious illness progression the past year.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Emily, his parents, Zara and Charles Smith, his sister and brother in-law, Beverly and Roger Egan, and his maternal uncle and aunt, Victor (Bud) and Myrtle Keehner,
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Smith of Columbia, SC, his daughters Rachel K. Smith, Sarah E. Smith and Erin M. Smith, and his nephew, Todd Egan of San Jose, CA
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