Our dad, Jack Weldon Smith, passed away at home on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Dad was born on January 28, 1945, in Dumas, Texas, to Hazel Elizabeth (Palmer) Smith and Weldon Raymond Smith, who have both preceded him in death. Dad was also preceded in death by his older brother, Arthur “Art” Lewis Smith; sister-in-law Esther Smith; his mother-in-law Augustina Chavarria; his brother-in-law, Jose “Freak” Chavarria; daughter Shelly D. Pearce; and grandsons Lil Daniel Celaya and Gavin Hearon.
Dad is survived by his loving wife of almost 53 years Sue Smith; sons Daniel Celaya (Livia Grace), Michael D. Smith, Andon D. Smith; daughters Adel Sarabia (Martin Sarabia), Carolyne Bennett (Mark Bennett), Jacklyn Dubose and Tina Rodriguez; as well as 20 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, four nephews, two nieces and several great-nephews and nieces; and son-in-law Paul D. Pearce; and younger brother Samuel “Sam” D. Smith (Charlotte).
Our dad enjoyed riding horses, listening to country and gospel music and was in a bowling league in Odessa, Texas, with his wife before they moved back to Alpine in 1983. Dad grew up in the panhandle of Texas and in Oklahoma, graduating as a Texhoma Red Devil in 1963 from Texhoma, Oklahoma High School.
Over the years, our dad worked for Pepsi-Cola, Morton’s Chips, Frost Bread, and Mrs. Baird’s Bread before buying the Highland Texaco in Alpine, Texas, in 1983, and adding Highland Automotive, which he operated for 42 years before retiring.
Dad’s visitation will be on Friday, September 11, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alpine Memorial Funeral Home Chapel located at 209 W. Sul Ross Avenue in Alpine. Funeral services will take place at Alpine Church of Christ (402 E. Sul Ross Avenue) beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, with interment to follow at Elm Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Vincent Rodriguez, Gilbert Rodriguez, Mike Smith, Andon Smith, Martin Sarabia, Michael York and Mark Bennett. Honorary Pallbearers are Daniel Celaya, Paul Dwayne Pearce Sr. and Paul Allen (Bubba) Pearce.
Services are entrusted to Alpine Memorial Funeral Home and gifts and condolences may be left by visiting www.alpinememorialfuneralhome.com.
