Jerry D Smith

He was born on November 24, 1946 in Palacios, Texas to Harvey F and Bertha L Smith. Jerry graduated from Palacios High School in 1964. He married Sandy Charbula in September 1969 and graduated from UT Austin in January 1970. His first job with Ingersoll-Rand took him to California and then on to Seattle, Washington where he found his love of backpacking the gorgeous mountains of the northwest.

A job change brought him back to Texas where he worked for Union Carbide, NUS, ASEA, and LAN. Jerry joined forces with Ajay Shah and formed Shah Smith and Associates in 1994. Jerry was a brilliant engineer and well recognized expert in the Central Utility Plant design. He laid a strong foundation for the excellent reputation in this field that SSA enjoys today and his legacy will live on in the many engineers he has mentored over the years.

Jerry retired in 2008 to fish, garden, hike, and spend time with his grandkids. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, and a sister LaNell Wiley. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 47 years, Sandy, two daughters, Kim Smith and Lisa Olson, son-in-law, Sean Olson and two granddaughters, Ava and Laurel Olson, two sisters Dorothy Yvonne Smith, Brenda Ross (husband Bob), and brother Harvey Wayne Smith (wife Pat), brother-in-law John Wiley, niece Anette Uher, three nephews Bobby Ross, Neil Uher, Darrell Smith and an “adopted” daughter Ashley Pleasants. He also leaves behind a host of friends and neighbors.

Jerry is remembered by those who knew and loved him as witty and fun-loving. He was a great storyteller and could always make you laugh. Jerry had a generous heart. Over the course of his life he helped many people in need without any expectation of accolades or reward.

The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and staff at MD Anderson for their outstanding care and compassion throughout Jerry’s journey, especially Dr. Nathan Fowler his primary physician.

Memorial donations may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center at https://gifts.mdanderson.org in memory of Jerry Smith.