Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
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Jack K. Smith, 80, Sandusky, died March 4, 2018. In Stein Hospice Care Center.
He was born in Marion, OH June 22, 1937 to Joe I. and Mabel (Ritzler) Smith, attended Marion City Schools and Ohio University where he received a B.S. in Civil Engineering.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Diane (Miller) Smith, son, Thomas R. Smith of Chico, CA, daughter, Margaret E. Geary of Cincinnati, OH, and three granddaughters, Emma, Elizabeth and Catherine Geary.
He served as a US Naval officer in the Civil Engineer Corps for 4 years active duty and 7 years reserve. After active duty he worked in the private sector, primarily as a construction engineer for Goodyear Tire & Rubber in many parts of the world which was a subject of pride with him. Since the Navy hadn't allowed him, a Civil Engineer officer, to float their boats, he bought a succession of sailboats and shanghaied his family as crew.
Due to failing health, he retired in 1992 to Sandusky from his last assignment for Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Ontario, Canada. Here he enjoyed his sailboat and dogs, did woodwork (at least made a lot of sawdust) and wrote a family history for his granddaughters. A good part of his life he suffered from congenital chronic kidney insufficiency until his renal transplant. This caused him to urge people to check the little box to donate organs which can help others after their original owners no longer need them. He also urged people to love those around them a little more and cherish their friends.
He gave his thanks to the person more gifted than he from whom he borrowed and edited the words below to express his feelings; but whose name he knew not.
The dawn has passed and the light of the day.
The dusk is upon me; is that the light of a star?
As the end approaches as it has since my birth I reflect on my life.
I'm thankful my life was mostly in peace and filled with love and little want.
I had enough wealth, and enough health, and lacked not food nor drink nor shelter.
If I have regrets one of them is I leave this life having had fewer friends than I think I should.
My greatest joy and solace is I found a companion that I appreciated and gave me more than I can express, including two fine children.
My greatest disappointment is that l did not give her nearly as much as she gave me.
Friends may call from 10 A.M. until time of memorial services at 11 A.M., Saturday, March 10, 2018 in Trinity United Methodist Church, 214 E Jefferson St, Sandusky, OH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at Trinity United Methodist Church. Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky is handling the arrangements.
Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com
