John Daniel Smith

John Daniel Smith, born on the 56th day of the year, in 1956, passed away quietly and unexpectedly on June 15th, 2022. He was chronologically 66 years old but he thought and acted like he was still in his 20s. When John took off for that great party in the sky, his parents, Billie Sue Freeman Smith and George Erskine Smith, along with siblings Sandra, David, and Earl, and an infant sister, Judy Ann, and infant brother, Timothy James, were there to greet him. We’re sure, Mike Wise, John’s best friend from childhood, who recently died, was also there, accompanied by a host of others.

Left behind are his sisters, Georgia Smith Slade, Jerry Smith Haney, and Edith Smith Sacks, their children and Earl’s children. Since Earl, Jerry, and Edith lived out of state, Georgia’s son, Jason Wright, became the number one recipient of his uncle’s attention and gifts. From an early age Jason was spoiled rotten by John. He received all the latest toys and games, and even his first car when he turned sixteen. It was a 1966 Mustang convertible. The only problem was the first day Jason drove it to school the brakes went out and he had to drive in to a curb to stop. Mom was not happy and the car went back to Uncle John.

Additional surviving relatives include Connie-Mack Lill, and Earl’s widow, Barbara Smith. A multitude of other beloved family members are also mourning his passing, along with a slew of friends which include his former wife, Charlotte.

Although John was a graduate of the 1974 Class of Woodlawn High School and had an associate’s degree from Jefferson State Junior College, he didn’t pursue further formal education. He wanted to work and he was a born salesman. He started to work at Jim Skinner Ford when he was eighteen years old and quickly became their number one salesman. After a couple of years, he was offered a job in the Atlanta area at Sandy Springs Toyota where he worked as a New Car Sales Manager. From there he became a car wholesaler and traveled extensively buying vehicles at auction. After he and Charlotte married, they opened up Hot Tub Atlanta while he was still working in the car business. In the later years of John’s career in the automobile industry, he found his special niche when he saw a need to assist those who were having difficulty financing a vehicle. He applied for, and was granted, a copyright for “Pre-Approved Notice” which quickly got potential customers’ attention.

John was a “people” person. He loved talking to everyone and he had a special gift for recognizing sales talent. He would meet complete strangers and within a few minutes see that they’d be great working for him. It didn’t matter what their current situation/job/or profession was.

One would think the automobile industry would have occupied most of his time but long before it became popular, John had been buying, renovating, and flipping properties. He loved to work hard but when it was time to play, he put just as much effort into having a grand ole time. In no particular order, he enjoyed fishing, boating, great food, cooking out, buying new gadgets, extravagant vacations, fast cars… especially Corvettes,flying small planes after obtaining his pilot license, Vegas, buying lottery tickets, women, family, and friends.

In John’s memory, instead of flowers, we think he would be pleased if, in his honor, you’d consider doing an unsolicited act of kindness for someone in need. John had a huge heart for those less fortunate.

We’re sure he’s up in the big sky working away. Even during his recent, almost five-week hospital stay, John’s mind was on getting back to work. He told his sister, Georgia, that he’d talked to Dad and Dad wasn’t happy with this vacation he was on. Keep in mind that during this “vacation” he’d had a raging infection which caused multiple small strokes, three toes amputated, and open-heart surgery with the mitral valve replaced. During his worst time, when doctors would come in to check on him, one of the first questions asked was, “How are you feeling, Mr. Smith. John would immediately reply, “I’m great!”

John went back to work just a couple of weeks after being released from the hospital. After five days of work, he came home to rest and drifted off on his final journey.

The ability to sell ice to an Eskimo was a phrase used by many to describe John. It would be interesting to hear the sales pitch he gave when he arrived at the pearly gates.

John had told some of those closest to him, during the hospital stay and afterwards, if something happened to him, not to be sad. He said, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not wanting to die, but if I do, it’s been a great life.”

Family and close friends will have a private graveside service Thursday, June 23rd, and later that afternoon, an open Celebration of Life, from 2-4:30 at Mikey’s Grill, his favorite restaurant. 4524 Southlake Pkwy Suite 7, Hoover, AL 35244.

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