Obituary of Jack Edmond Smith

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Catholic Community in Capitola on July 30th at 11 a.m. for Jack Smith. Surrounded by his loving family, Jack passed peacefully at his Aptos home. His passing leaves a void in the lives of his family and the many people who have come to call him their friend and mentor. Jack would have celebrated his 70th birthday this October. Born in San Jose, he attended James Lick High School, where he was a talented athlete, competing in football, basketball and baseball. He was passionate about exercise, and competed in basketball recreation leagues well into his sixties. He shared his passion for athletics with his children and grandchildren. Jack loved watching all of them compete; he never missed a game. Many fond memories will live on of Jack's inspirational sportsmanlike nature. He lived his life refusing to settle for anything less than his best effort and instilled the same value in those he touched. Jack served as a police officer in the Santa Clara County Sherriff's Department. He rose to the rank of Sergeant, and over the span of his 33-year career served with pride and integrity as a Patrolman, Burglary and Homicide Detective, and Internal Affairs Investigator. A resident of Santa Cruz County since 1988, Jack was a familiar face in the Aptos community. For the past 17 years, he along with his son Joseph, coached basketball at Aptos High School. Together, they guided the Aptos Boys' Junior Varsity, Girls' Varsity, and Boys' Varsity Basketball Teams to numerous championships and playoff appearances. Jack had an affinity for helping young people, and took great pride in seeing them reach their full potential, both on and off the court. Jack will be deeply missed. He lived his life with a deep faith in God and a strong, generous, loving, and loyal heart. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jolene; his daughter Jakki her husband Tom Leonardini and their children Tommy, Julia and Sofia; his son Joseph, his wife Jamie and their daughter Jemma; his sister Sharleen and her husband Bob Hedgpeth; his sister Sharon and her husband Jim Stewart; his sister-n-law Marlene and her husband Phil Ingram; his brother's Bruce and his wife Vau, Craig and his wife Pat, Guy, and Gary; his nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins, all who meant the world to Jack. In lieu of flowers any kind acts of charity may be made in honor of Jack to the Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwariorproject.org