Jack Wayne Smith, 65, of Fred passed away Sunday, June 26th at St. Elizabeth Hospital after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born October 25, 1945 in Beaumont to Herbert and Miriam(Miro) Smith. He was a retired heavy equipment operator for Operating Engineers Local 450.
He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Kristin Lynn and mother-in-law Evelyn James.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara James Smith of Fred, sister and brother-in-law Joan and Butch Harper of Hemphill, father-in-law J.D. James, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Elaine Tubb and Derold James of Woodville. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Nicole, Lyle, Brooke, David, Kelly, Dayna, Misty, Krista and 10 great nieces and nephews as well as several aunts, cousins and many wonderful, caring friends. He was affectionately known as "Papa Jack" to his great nephew Trent Gardner.
A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday, June 28th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at R.S. Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee. Services will be held Wednesday morning at 10:00a.m. at the funeral home with burial to follow at Franks Branch Cemetery in Fred. Serving as pallbearers are Don Martinez, Barry Daigle, Ken Josey, Matt Jordan, Hunter Jordan and Ira Callaway. Honorary pallbearers are James Don Alfaro, Joe Alexander, Joe Alexander, Jack Tousha, Scott Curtis, Jimmy Simmons and Jimmy Rawls.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Robert Birdwell and the staff at Texas Oncology in Beaumont, Odessey Hospice Group, the nurses and staff on the oncology wing at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Dr. Benjamin Musher at the Baylor Clinic in Houston for the kind and compassionate care given to him. Contributions may be made to Texas Oncology, 690 N. 11th Street, Beaumont, Tx 77702, Attn: Sammy Davis.
