Joe Neil Smith

Joe Neil Smith, 64 of Upper Arlington, died peacefully at the James Cancer Center surrounded by family on Sunday, January 26, 2020. Joe was the youngest son of the late Phillip and Joanna Cook) Smith, and was born in Wetzel County Hospital in New Martinsville, West Virginia on August 25, 1955. Joe spent his earliest days living in Hannibal, Ohio, and he loved the Ohio River. He graduated from Woodsfield High School in 1973, and enlisted in the Air Force. Joe was a proud veteran, and always praised the care that he received at the Veterans Administration's Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center on James Road.

After leaving the Air Force, Joe followed in the footsteps of many of his family members, and became a coal miner. During those years, he was a member of the United Mine Workers, and believed for the rest of his life that strong unions benefited everyone. After the mines began shutting down, Joe tried working in different areas, but found his true passion when he worked at Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio. Joe loved working with trees and plants, and entered the Horticulture program at ATI in Wooster, Ohio where he received his Associates degree. Joe worked in landscape maintenance for many years in central Ohio, and was happy that when he could drive around the area, he could see many trees that he helped plant still growing and doing well.

Joe was passionate about learning new things, and was an avid reader. He loved gardening, woodworking, traveling, listening to music and bicycling.

Joe was a kind and compassionate man who loved animals. Many strays and cats in need of homes came into his life. If there is a rainbow bridge, Zelda, Maggie, Sidney, Tess, Cecil, Simone, Ike, Sophie and Tabitha will be waiting for him.

Joe is survived by his wife, Melanie McCort and his two cats, Pepper and Leo. He will be greatly missed by his mother-in-law, Frances McCort and other family members.

Donations in his memory can be made to Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, Mercy for Animals or the ASPCA.