Jack Morris Smith Sr.
Jack Morris Smith Sr., 78, of Burnet died May 23, 2012. He was a retired computer analyst with the Department of Defense.
He was born in Lytle on Dec. 29, 1933, to Morris and Carleta Smith. He grew up in Pharr where his parents were teachers.
After high school and two years of college, he served four years in the Air Force. He returned to Texas State University-San Marcos, then known as Southwest Texas State University, where he married Delores Touchstone.
After graduating in 1960 with a degree in mathematics, he taught math and physics for six years in Kingsville and Louise. He then joined the DOD at Brooks Air Force Base Medical Aerospace in San Antonio.
This led to a successful 20-year career, and fulfillment of his childhood dream, working at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. During that time he raised three children and served as a counselor for the Royal Ambassadors at Skyline Baptist Church in El Paso.
After retiring from White Sands in 1998, he and his wife moved to Burnet where he enjoyed spending time with his seven grandchildren and numerous friends. While in Burnet he was a volunteer and participated in various organizations. He was a firefighter with the East Lake Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department. He served as a vice president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association for two years and was on the board of the Council Creek Village Property Owners Association.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Burnet, the Burnet and Lytle Masonic lodges (as a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason) and the Burnet Eastern Star.
An avid Doane postal cancel collector, he contributed several articles to La Posta: A Journal of American Postal History.
Known for his dry wit and sense of humor, he could always be counted on for a wry comment. He enjoyed sharing stories, including tales about deer hunting and his many adventures hitchhiking around Texas in his younger years. He loved attending reunions and reconnecting with his students and classmates from Louise and Pharr.
Weekly fellowship with the First Baptist ROMEO’s (Real Old Men Eating Out) was a highlight of his week.
In addition to his wife of 51 years, survivors include his sister Ann and husband Wally Pape; brother-in-law Thomas Touchstone and wife Laverne; children Jack M. Smith II and wife Lexie; Sandra Geach and husband Pete; grandchildren Robert Teague, Kelsie Teague, Aaron Smith, Alexa Smith, Emily Smith, Kara Smith and Mia Smith; cousins, nieces, nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Sharon Smith; and granddaughter Heather Teague.
A memorial service is 2 p.m. May 29 at First Baptist Church of Burnet. Visitation will be held after the services in the fellowship hall at the church.
A Masonic burial will be held at Lytle at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the First Baptist Church of Burnet.
The family thanks the medical-care providers at Scott & White Healthcare, Seton Family of Hospitals, the staff of the medical offices of doctors Murray, Resnick and Patteson, Hill Country Health and Medical House Call Associates; and friends from First Baptist Church of Burnet and Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home.
Friends and family can visit www.clementswilcoxburnet.com to sign a guest register.
Arrangements by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 306 Texas 29 East in Burnet, (512) 756-2222.