Jack Harry Smith

Jack Harry Smith, age 94, of Waleska, Georgia passed away April 9, 2014. He was born in Waleska on October 21, 1919 to Silas and Edna Moore Smith. Mr. Smith grew up in Waleska and attended elementary school in a building on the budding Reinhardt College campus. After graduating high school, Mr. Smith was drafted in the army during World War II. He served in the Philippines as an Army Airborne Engineer from 1941 to 1945. Mr. Smith left the service as a staff sergeant with a World War II Victory Medal, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, an Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and an American Service Medal. After his service, Jack Smith started his construction at Greene Lumbar. His family attributes his success to hard work, his God-given ability to build and fix things and his understanding of saving money. His career included real estate development, residential contracting and housing authority inspecting. Mr. Smith served as director of the North Georgia Savings and Loan in Canton from 1979-81. Throughout his life Jack Smith served in numerous organizations such as the Cherokee County Development Authority, Cherokee Day Care Program Board, Cherokee County Housing Authority, Cherokee County Action Agency, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Cherokee County Industrial Authority, Canton Lions’ Club and the Masons. Jack Smith was the Mayor of Waleska from 1956-68, 1977-81. He was responsible for many city improvements such as the implementation of the city water system, developing the first city hall and the first fire station and the installation of streetlights as well as the establishment of the police department. Mr. Smith was a longtime supporter of Reinhardt University. He helped in the building of the Hal B. Wansley President’s Home in 1977. Throughout the years, the Smiths would provide housing and support to Reinhardt students in need. Because of their generosity, they created the Jack H. Smith Chair of Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise as well as the Ruby Smith College Scholarship. In 2008, Mr. Smith received the Reinhardt University Alumni Loyalty Award. Jack Smith loved and cared about Reinhardt and understood the institution’s importance to the community. The Christian faith guided Jack Smith throughout his life and he and his wife attended First Baptist of Waleska, where they were members of the church for over 50 years. Mr. Smith served as a deacon of the church for over 50 years as well. He was instrumental in the building and relocating of the Waleska First Baptist Church in order to better serve the community. Jack Smith is survived by his wife Ruby Atkins Smith. They have been married for 60 years. He is also survived by his daughter, Edna Cook, grandchildren Julie Lesesne (Kenneth) and Amanda Brown (Peter) and great grandchildren Logan Lesesne and Peyton Brown. All reside in Waleska, Ga. Visitation is from 4-9 p.m. on April 11 and Noon-2 p.m. on April 12 at Darby Funeral home in Canton, Ga. The funeral service will be at Waleska First Baptist Church at 3 p.m. on April 12.

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Jack Harry Smith

October 1, 1919 - April 9, 2014