J.W. (Jack) Smyth, 68, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2013 after a battle with cancer. He was born on December 16, 1944 in Starke, FL. He resided in the north east Florida area where he attended local schools. Jack served in the US Army for 4 years. He joined the JSO in 1965 as a patrol officer where he received several letters of commendations from citizens. During his tenure with JSO he was the defensive Coach for Magnum Force, the police football team. Jack retired from JSO after 25 years of service to the community as a Sargeant and was a member of the FOP. After retirement he filled his days as a volunteer at the Museum of Southern History on Herschel Avenue where he was involved in Civil War research, recovery of Civil War artifacts, and ancestry research. Jack is survived by his wife Robbie of 49 years, sons, Steve Smyth (Maria) and Robert Smyth (Danese), 6 grandchildren; Amanda, Blake, Jason, Michael, Layci, and Jennifer and 8 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his middle son Michael Smyth. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to Northeast Florida Community Hospice. A memorial service will be held at Hardage-Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jax. FL 32205 on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 11:00 am.
