Jaye Robert Smith

Jaye Rob passed away from complications due to COVID-19. He is survived by his family: JR

and Ruth Smith, Richard Smith, Cynthia and Patrick Schneider, Scott and Kate Hunicke-Smith,

and six nieces and nephews and their families: Michael, Daniel, and Brian Smith, Ileana, Meg,

and Kiera Hunicke-Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Ronald and

Georgianna Smith and his half-brother, Ronald Lynn Smith.

Jaye Rob had many very good friends he considered family. Among them were Vince Allred,

and Vince’s wife Tammy McCoy and their children; Joe Smith, and Joe’s wife Nancy and their

children: Emma, Cynthia and Jasper; Joan and Casey Bussey; and Brooke Pelt Davis and her

daughters: Maggie, Hanna, and Raelyn, and many, many others.

Jaye Rob was born in Houston, Texas on March 3, 1950. He was the second of five children.

His mother said he didn’t talk until he was three years old. When he finally spoke, it was a

complete sentence. When he was a toddler, he pulled his crib up to a chest of drawers,

climbed on top, and flew out the open second story window. His great aunt happened to be

walking by at that moment and caught Rob in her arms. God was watching out for him from the

beginning.

The family lived in Houston from 1949-1960. They moved on to Dallas, residing in various

suburbs from 1960 to 1969. Rob went to public schools and graduated from Richardson High

School in 1968. He enrolled at Stephen F. Austin University majoring in Art. He left college early

and wandered a bit. Throughout his life Rob struggled with difficult times. He was saved many

times by the Grace of God and was able to use his story to inspire others and to lead an

exceptionally productive life in helping others. For example, Rob repaired and restored cars,

usually for free, to the benefit others. He was a self-taught mechanic and general handyman.

He rejoined the family in 1970 in New Orleans where he worked as a sandblaster on the large

ships in the port. In 1971, he lived with his parents in Austin. He drove a cab and one night

brought home a homeless man for Mom to feed; he did these acts of kindnesses frequently. He

returned to Houston to live in an Evangelical Christian communal house (not far from toddler

incident). He met Cheryl in this community and in January of 1974, they married. Rob and

Cheryl were divorced in 1978. Rob moved to Austin in November 1978. While in Austin he met

many famous musicians and was a regular at Townes Van Zandt’s performances. Rob met

Cricket and lived with her and her children, including Joe, for a few years.

Rob left Austin in the 1980’s and moved back to Houston. He met Joan and helped her out

when Casey came along. Rob worked in the pre-press department as a stripper. Technology

replaced this job. He worked with a friend in the mini-blind business while simultaneously

volunteering many hours with LoveJoy Ministry in Houston. During the evening hours he would

pick up the homeless to take them to a shelter for the night. Eventually, with his parents help,

he entered a seminary and became an ordained minister.

He moved to Dallas in 2002 to work for Bill Glass Behind the Walls ministry. He loved his

work. He traveled across the country to many, many Weekend of Champions and Day of

Champions events. He was able to travel to the Ukraine with Jack Murphy, and to Israel with

Bruce Zimmerman, to testify, preach and pray.

Jaye Rob had a big heart and was a great storyteller. His stories were often a reflection of him

and those he loved more than a historical recounting of facts, reflecting his compassion and

love for those around him. In the end, Jaye Rob put his faith in God, and God called him

home.