John Smith

John Howard Smith, age 81, of Cleveland, Georgia, passed away on May 4, 2025. 

John was born on August 12, 1943, in Zanesville, Ohio, to the late Hugh Smith and Martha (Koch) Smith.  In addition to his parents John was preceded in death by his brother, David A. Smith of Monroe Michigan.  

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Lorraine (Tatham) Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Melinda D. Meeker and Rob Meeker; son and daughter-in-law, Matthew E. Smith   and Shannon Phillips Smith; son, Michael H. Smith and five grandchildren: R. J. Hutcherson, Meghan Smith, Molly Smith, Gabby Hutcherson, and Brandon Smith.

After graduating from Watkins Memorial High School (1961, Pataskala, Ohio) John attended Bowman Technical Institute in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he graduated with certification in watch and clock repair. During the Vietnam conflict, John enlisted and served three years in the army.  After his time in the army, John went to work for the Department of Defense (1967 until 1990) at Newark Air Force Base (Newark, Ohio) repairing Minuteman I and II missile guidance systems. Shortly after retiring from the air base, he began a second career (1991-2007) working for Micromeritics in Norcross Georgia building scientific components that measure particles.  

John’s favorite pastimes included camping as well as afternoons spent playing cards and board games with family members.  But John’s greatest joy has been his relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ.  After retiring a second time, he and Lorraine moved to the North Georgia Mountains where they found a loving faith community at Mount Yonah Baptist Church.  When a favorite Sunday School teacher suffered from health issues John reluctantly agreed to “fill in” until the teacher recovered.  John ended up taking over this class and taught for the next decade until his own health made it impossible to continue.  He also served a term as deacon at Mt. Yonah.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at Mt. Yonah Baptist Church on Friday, May 9, 2025, at noon with Pastor Ross Roberts officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to his church, Mt Yonah Baptist, 882 Asbestos Road, Cleveland, Georgia 30528.

To share a memory or leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland | (706) 865-3101