Harriet Jean Smootz

Harriet Jean Smootz (nee George) was born on August 9, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas to Robert Eugene George and Bernice Harriet (Wallis) George, and passed away on February 24, 2021. She was known as “Jean” after high school. Jean lived in a variety of places over the years, mostly as an Army brat. Highlights over her time spent overseas were in Linz, Austria, Würzburg, Germany, and Okinawa, where she graduated from Kubasaki High School in 1963 (a proud Kubasaki “Dragon”).

Jean attended college while in Okinawa at the University of Maryland Overseas, then attended Lubbock Christian College from 1964-1965. She later attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a B.A. in Psychology in 1968 and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 1976. Jean spent a few years working in the field of psychology, mostly for the U.S. Army as a civilian. It was there that Jean met her beloved husband, Edwin Randall Smootz - they were married on January 18, 1980. After a few years as a research psychologist, Jean sought greener pastures in the field of Informational Technology, or as it was at that time, Data Processing. Jean worked for over 25 years as a programmer, systems analyst, supervisor and consultant, enjoying her time in that field of work.

Jean had many hobbies over the years - mainly aquarium fish, gardening, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin, genealogy, photography, and most importantly, helping her husband Ed build their house. She also enjoyed spending time with family - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and long lost relatives - not to mention her dear husband, her wonderful sons, and her delightful grandchildren.

Jean is survived by her husband Edwin, sons Jesse Romigh IV and Derek Randall Smootz and his wife Rebecca, grandchildren Jessica Romigh, Malcolm Smootz, and Céilí Smootz. Also her brother Roy Robert George, Helen Marie Zanetti, and Margaret Edna Peaster. She was predeceased by her parents and three brothers: Joseph B. George, Gerald W. George, and James J. George.