Jack Ray Smith

JACK R. SMITH

Jack was born in Galveston, Texas on March 9, 1947.  He was raised by his grandparents, Georgia & Preston Staples, on their subsistence farm in Possum Hollow.  His Uncle Doc, Aunt Winnie and cousin, Dwin, inspired his love of hiking by taking him backpacking and hiking at Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. 

At the age of 9, he moved to Inglewood, Ca, with his mother, Doris, where he met his future wife, Jayne, while attending Morningside High School.  He lettered in Track & Cross-Country. After graduating in 1965, he attended California Polytechnic State University but was drafted in 1968.  He completed basic training at Ft. Ord & Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Georgia in Aug. 1969.  He served in Viet Nam during 1969-70 as a Sgt. E-5, earning 2 Bronze Stars and 2 Army Commendation medals.

He married Jayne in 1971 and moved back to San Luis Obispo where he opened his first insurance office, Central Insurance Agency, returned to Cal Poly and rejoined ROTC.  In 1973, he was awarded the Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell Award (a Silver Saber) for Outstanding Cadet and was named Distinguished Cadet of his group and Top Cadet of the company.

After Jack’s daughter, Carolyn, was born in 1974, he & Jayne purchased their forever home in Arroyo Grande.

In 1977, Jack received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  Michelle, daughter number 2, was born in 1978 and Jack moved the family to Ft. Lee, Virginia to attend Quartermaster school. He retired from the military in 1981 as a 1st Lt.

In 1980, third daughter, Jacqueline, was born. That same year he was reunited with his father’s family and 4 half-brothers.  He became a General Agent for Central Life Assurance and opened Central Financial Services. He received his Masters of Science in Financial Services, became a Chartered Financial Consultant and a Chartered Life Underwriter.  The agency grew to 48 agents with 6 offices throughout Calif. He was a member of Million Dollar Round Table as a qualifying & life member.  He won the National Managers Award from G.A.M.A 10 times, served on the G.A. and the Agents Advisory Councils.

Jack was very involved with the girls’ activities, supporting soccer, swimming, basketball, & softball teams. He shared his love of hiking by taking Camp Fire members on hikes in the high Sierras.  He has continued taking yearly backpacking trips with his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephew to Mt. Whitney, Half Dome, the Grand Canyon and across the Sierras. 

He joined the Rotary Club of Arroyo Grande, was a charter member of the 5 Cities Men’s Club, served on

the Lucia Mar and the So. County Education Foundations and the Clark Center Foundation.  He helped to organize and start the Boys & Girls Club of So. San Luis County.

In 2001, Jack stepped down as General Agent and became a career agent with Amerus Life.  In 2003, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce.

In 2018 Jack met his oldest daughter, Anita Michelle, for the first time.  She & her family have been an added blessing.

Jack ran the LA marathon 3 times, the Big Sur marathon, and the San Diego Rock & Roll marathon.  He enjoyed gardening, golfing, backpacking, and Elvis.  He hiked the John Muir trail in 2008 to celebrate his 60th birthday. Jack felt there wasn’t anything greater than laughter and he became well known for his Ollie and Lena jokes.

Jack is survived by his wife, Jayne, of 54 years, 4 daughters & son in laws, 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

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