Jerry Earnest Smith, 69, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, March 18, 2022, at 8:20 p.m. at the Fayette Adena Medical Center where he had been a patient since Wednesday.
Jerry was born September 7, 1952, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Glenn Edward and Helen Marie Gates Smith. He was a 1970 graduate of Miami Trace High School and had lived most of his life in the New Holland and Washington Court House communities.
He was a police office in Sabina from 1984-1992; served on the Fayette County Life Squad from 1977-1984 and was a volunteer with the Pick-A-Fay Fire Department in New Holland from 1973-1984.
Jerry was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served in the Ohio National Guard. He was a member of Paul H. Hughey Post #25 of the American Legion; New Holland Lodge F. & A.M. #392 and the Walnut Hill Church of Christ in Christian Union.
He was preceded in death by a step-son, Steven A. Clawson; his parents and a brother, Joseph E. Smith.
He is survived by his wife, the former Penny Louise Neville whom he married July 10, 1997; a daughter, Laura Smith-Linsten and her husband, Victor, of New Holland, a step-son, Johnathan N. Clawson of Washington Court House; seven grandchildren, Lea and Heather Wing and Logan, Lilly, Levi and Marley Clawson and Cheyanne Linsten and three great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the New Holland Church of Christ in Christian Union with the Rev. Michael Hodge officiating. Complete military honors will follow the service. Burial of the cremains will be at a later date in New Holland Cemetery
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland.
www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com
During my early career in Sabina, I met Jerry. He was a decent man who did his job as well as anyone. He always had a nice smile and could be somewhat ornery, which is what I loved most about him. I’m sorry to see his passing. My condolences to his family.