AMERICUS — Jack H. Smith, chief warrant officer, W-4, U.S. Army (retired), age 85, passed away on Sunday morning, Nov. 13, 2016, at his home in Americus.

Mr. Smith was born on Oct. 6, 1931, in Lewistown, Montana, a son of Omer Smith and Martha Hetland Smith. He grew up and received his early education in Judith Gap and Harlowton, Montana, and later graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He and Pauline Leveillee from Manchester, New Hampshire, were married on April 18, 1953, in Saint Mathews Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Jack was a combat veteran of the Korean War and completed a 28-year active duty regular Army career, serving in all enlisted ranks, as a reserve commissioned officer, and regular army chief warrant officer, retiring in June 1976. Following the Korean War, most of his service was as an engineer and linguist with duty as an advisor and instructor to foreign armies in Europe, South America, Central America, the Far East, and the Middle East. He was decorated with several awards for his combat service and extraordinary meritorious service, including the Legion of Merit, during his military career.

Mr. Smith has made his home in Americus since 1976, and retired from a second career of 23 years as the corporate equipment manager in the highway construction and construction aggregate mining industries. He was an active parishioner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where he was the Charter Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and past president of the Parish Council. He was a past president of the Americus Civitan Club, and was a member of the Military Officers’ Association of America, the Korean War Veterans Association, and a life member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.

Survivors include his wife of 63 1/2 years, Pauline L. Smith of Americus; two daughters and son-in-law: Donna and Tom Wetherell of Seneca, South Carolina, and Debra Smith of Biloxi, Mississippi; two sons and daughter-in-law: Wayne and Shelley Smith of Grenada, Mississippi, and Bruce Smith of Chelsea, Alabama; a very special family friend, Shan Abbott of Biloxi, Mississippi; five grandchildren; four great-granddaughters, and three nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, one sister, and five younger brothers.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, in the committal pavilion at Andersonville National Historic Site, with a military chaplain officiating. Full military honors will follow, with interment in Andersonville National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends between the hours of 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, at Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St. Those present will travel in procession to Andersonville National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Saint Mary’s Catholic Church Building Fund, 332 S. Lee St., Americus GA 31709; or the Civitan International Research Center for persons with development disabilities, c/o Americus Civitan Club, P.O. Box 1165, Americus GA 31709.

To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com

Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mr. Jack H. Smith.