John R. Smith

~In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Corinthian Baptist Church Scholarship Fund~

Deacon John Russell Smith "Jack" transitioned to his new home in heaven on January 11, 2020. John R. was born on May 23, 1928, in Dayton, Ohio to the late Jiles Frederick Smith and Sallie (Nash) Smith. He was a faithful, lifelong member, Sunday School Teacher and member of the Deacon Board of Corinthian Baptist Church. He attended Dayton Public School at Irving Elementary and graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Class of 1948. He continued his education at Wittenberg University.

Deacon Smith worked as a butcher at a local grocer in Dayton, Ohio on Home Avenue while attending college before being employed with the United States Postal Service as a Mail Handler. He went on to become President of both the local and state Postal Workers Unions. Deacon Smith ran for national office and won the election to become the National Vice-President of the American Postal Workers Union in Washington D.C. He would later become the National Director of the Retiree Department for the American Postal Workers Union in Washington D.C. for 15 years.

Deacon Smith was very active in his community as a leader and businessman. He is the owner of FERBO Inc. (Federal Employee Retirement and Benefit Options, Inc.) He was a co-owner of Flair TV and Appliances (largest black-owned Electronics and appliance business in West Dayton). He was a Real Estate investor and taught Real Estate sales for Dillingham Reality, Past Chairman of the Dayton Civil Service Board, Past President of the Wright Dunbar Credit Union, served on the Board of Family Services, Co-Founder and Board member for Concerned Christian Men, Member of the Corinthian Baptist Church Layman’s Organization and Male Chorus, Past President and Board Member for First Dayton Little League, United Way at Work Committee, President of Nettie Lee Roth PTA, and Past Commissioner of the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Deacon Smith was a Charter Member (1962) and Worshipful Master of Equity Lodge #121 in 1968. He was a 50-year member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio and Miami Consistory #26. He and was elevated to the 33° and last degree in May 1995.

Deacon Smith was preceded in death by his parents, loving wife of 62 years, Ida B. (Jones) Smith, siblings James L. Smith (Catherine), Dorothy Reese, Frederick J. Smith, Wilbur H. Smith (Ammie), Lester C. Smith, Joyce M. Young, Wanda Y. Gates, Catherine Smith and Nadine Smith.  From this union he leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted children Son Darryl R. Smith (Medoria); Daughter Cheryl A. Brown (Fred); Son Mark J. Smith (Charisse); nine grandchildren: Christopher Wells, Jasmine B. Lawson (Kaelon), Joscelyn A. Facey (Horace), Dionna N. Blake (Courtney I), Tracy R. Alves, Bandii Reid (Treymaine), Dominique F. Smith, Darryl R. Smith, II. and Chanel Smith.  13  great-grandchildren and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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