John “Jack” Raymond Smith

John (Jack) Raymond Smith, born April 29, 1935-March 11, 2022 to parents, Alfred and Virginia (Webb) Smith. Survived by brother, Alfred Smith, wife, Paulette Smith, daughters; Debi Ballard and Sarah Fritsch, grandchildren; Emmaleigh Ballard, Molly Ballard, Oliver Fritsch, and Robin August Fritsch. Proceeded in death by daughter, Robin Moore. He is buried in the Glen Forest Cemetery in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Celebration of Life gathering will be held in Columbus, Ohio in June 2022.

Jack was born in Evansville Indiana. He was an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin, in Superior, Wisconsin before moving to Columbus, Ohio in 1972. He was the head of the science department at Westland High School and beloved teacher in South-Western City School District. He was a very active member of South-Western Education Teachers Association at the local and state level. Jack also worked on the weekends at COSI running the planetarium and the weather exhibit.

Jack devoted much of his time and energy to his Masonic membership. He was raised as a Master Mason in Humboldt Lodge number 476. Jack was also a member of Ohio Chapter 12, Columbus Chapter 8, and Mount Vernon Commandery.

Jack was a bit of a renaissance man he was equally comfortable sitting around a campfire singing folk songs as he was dressing to the nines and attending an opera performance. A voracious reader he enjoyed medieval and World War II history as well as science fiction.

Jack had a very giving heart and sharing attitude which was certainly an outgrowth of his youth and forward thinking parents. Jack always had a tender spot for the downtrodden and the underdog. Throughout his life he shared his wonderful sense of humor with all he encountered. He will be sorely missed by family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Ohio Masonic Community in Springfield. The family is also looking at establishing a scholarship in his name at Westland High School.