Jerome Coover Smith

Jerome “Jerry” Coover Smith was a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and uncle during his fulfilling 91 years of life. Jerry passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, March 14, 2022 in the company of his adored wife, Ann, after an exhaustive battle with Parkinson's.

Jerry was born on May 23, 1930 in Des Moines, Iowa to Golda Irene Coover and Frank Roy Smith. His mother raised him after his father passed away suddenly when Jerry was only 12. He was the youngest of his three siblings, Allison, Betty and Shirley. Jerry grew up an athlete. He was a pole vaulter, a swimmer, a lifeguard, a runner, and water-skier. His claim to fame and favorite trick to impress his daughters was his ability to walk on his hands.

Jerry served in the Navy, working the interior communications on the USS Princeton for four years where he traveled and saw the world. He graduated from the University of Iowa where he studied photojournalism and later went on to become a photojournalist for newspapers in Arlington Heights, Illinois and Sibley, Iowa. Jerry was a talented photographer as well as writer. His family cherishes his photos including one of Ann at a train station and one of Martin Luther King giving a speech at the University of Iowa. Jerry had an accomplished career and retired with Lennox Industries as the Director of Advertising.

The University of Iowa is also where he met his best friend and love, Ann in an Earth science class. Jerry and Ann celebrated 64 years of marriage on December 18, 2021. Being a man of God, Jerry loved deeply and immensely. He loved to tell people that he had four daughters and lived in a house with all women. Jerry was the hero to his four daughters. They have fond memories of working and playing alongside him doing activities such as building a patio, installing a fireplace, working on cars, as well as camping trips and family vacations at Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Okoboji, and Colorado. He was always patient and kind with his girls and everyone.

Jerry’s favorite home was on Lake Cypress Springs were he fished, boated, bird watched, held family gatherings, and painted. This home brought Jerry’s daughters and their families together to create life-long memories of a very lovable Grandpa. He was an artist, a poet, a storyteller, a writer, and a photographer. His family adored the watercolors that Jerry painted of family members as he was such a skilled and natural artist. Jerry also loved animals, and they loved him just as much back. He loved their papillon dogs, Sonny & Sophie and Lady, who made life at the Lake House even sweeter. As a boy, he even had pet squirrels that are the subject of a beloved family photograph. He also sparked the love of horses in his daughters and granddaughters by saying, "Yes” to the first pony.

Jerry was a very special man to all who knew him. He gave his life to Jesus and loved his family in every way he could. Making people laugh and bringing joy in any situation was one thing that Jerry strived at. A loving team of caregivers and hospice workers brought Jerry much comfort in his last years and moments of life. His family is forever grateful for that.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Smith, and four daughters and son-in-laws: Sue and Walt Chandler, Cathy and Kevin Mulholland, Sandy and Dennis Sweeney, and Amy and Paul Bravo. His grandchildren are Travis Hall; Haley Hall; Shannon Sweeney; Chris Mullolland; Kelly Johnson and husband Ryan; Kristen Chandler; Kyle Chandler; Amy Chandler; Joey Bravo; and Tony Bravo. Jerry also has two great grandchildren: Carly Ann and Hayden Leroy Johnson.

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Beehive Assisted Living, 2660 Timber Ridge, Frisco, Texas, 75034.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stonebriarfh.com for the Smith family.