Jackson Howard Smithwick

Born in Arapahoe, NC on December 21, 1938, to Eva Smithwick and Howard Smithwick. Jack graduated from Havelock High School in 1957 where he spent his high school years playing football, baseball and basketball for the school. He then served in the US Army for four years, where he also played baseball for the Army. After serving 4 years in the US Army, Jack worked for Carolina Telephone before retiring from MCAS Cherry Point, where he worked for 30 years as an electrician. After retirement he acquired his own electrician license and operated his own electrical business. He served many years as choir director at his former church and also wrote articles for the County Compass newspaper in which he shared the gospel. Jack was very active in the prison ministry conducting services for the inmates and in his earlier years operated a church bus ministry which helped to bring underprivileged kids to Sunday school and church.

He loved a good deer hunting story along with a good joke while being known to pull practical jokes on friends and family whenever he could. But most of all he loved his family and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He shared the love of Christ with anyone he could because he wanted everyone to experience the joy of salvation as he did.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Eva Smithwick and Howard Smithwick; son, Kyle Smithwick; sisters, Alice Judkins and Faye Smithwick; and brothers, Henry Smithwick and Joe Smithwick.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sylvia E. Smithwick; daughters, Jennifer Smithwick Hunt and spouse, Dennis Hunt, of Indianapolis, IN and Tracy Smithwick Savage and spouse, Stephen Savage, and their son, Caleb Savage; three grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was a dedicated husband, father and friend who was loved by so many. He will be greatly missed but we find comfort knowing he is with his Lord where we will see him again.

A funeral service to honor Jack’s life will be held at 2pm on Friday, April 18th at New Bethlehem FWB Church with the Reverend Ashley Trogden officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church sanctuary.

As an expression of sympathy memorial contributions can be made to Colonial Capital Humane Society, 1860 Old Airport Road, New Bern, NC 28562.