John "Jack" Voges

Born on January 25, 1957, in Yonkers, NY. Jack grew up in Brewster, NY. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John Stephen Voges Sr. and Carol Ann Laurencell Voges formerly of Crystal River, Florida, and his stepson, Jason Smythe.

NAVY career-Jack Voges grew up in Brewster, NY. He graduated from Brewster High School in 1975, wanting to escape the small town of Brewster, NY, he enlisted in the US NAVY in 1976 as a mechanical engineer seaman recruit- E1. He spent 10 years on surface ships, and he rapidly advanced his naval career to a Master Chief Petty Officer E9. In 1985, he was selected for the NCO Program as an Ensign and was transferred to the submariner Navy nuclear program from 1988 to 1998. He retired in 1998 as a nuclear engineer Lieutenant O3-E3 from his terminal duty station in Kings Bay, GA after serving 23 years of military service. Throughout out his 23-year military career he was stationed in Windsor, CT, Pensacola, FL, the Manila, Philippines, Virginia Beach, Salerno, Italy, Charleston, SC, and Kings Bay, GA. One of the highlights of his military career was playing golf at the North Pole. He met his second wife, Marsha Haller Smythe in June 1995 at Folly Beach, SC. They married in Florida in April 1997. Jack and Marsha were married for 29 years. They relocated to Charleston to be near their children.

In addition to his active Naval career. Jack pursued several careers after his retirement. He was employed as a project engineer manager at Detyens Shipbuilding from 1998 to 2000. Subsequently, he was the mechanical engineer supervisor of the boiler plant for 17 years from 2000-2017 at The Citadel Military College.

During his life he, enjoyed deep sea fishing in his 24-foot Sea Hunt boat, and enjoyed making his own tackle. He had a passion for woodworking and furniture making, target shooting, reloading shells, and a deep interest in WW2 history.

On December 13, 2019, he received a series of 3 simultaneous injections: Fluvax, Shingarex and Pneumovax. One month later, January 2020, he developed a progressive seizure disorder which started out slowly and rapidly progressed in frequency and severity over the next 6 years, completely robbing him of his independence. At the time of his passing he had sustained well over 139 seizures. His seizures completely robbing him of his independence. He was no longer able to enjoy any of his hobbies, drive his vehicle, use his boat, fish, do woodworking, or golf. He was completely dependent upon his wife Marsha Voges for all shopping, transportation, medical appointments and personal health care. She was his devoted in-home caregiver for 6 years. For over 6 years, he fought valiantly to overcome his multiple medical disabilities. In 2025 he developed normal pressure hydrocephalus and dementia which required insertion of an AP shunt necessitating multiple hospitalizations due to numerous falls from instability. In November 2025 during a routine follow up CT scan to reascertain correct shunt placement they discovered lung cancer as an incidental finding. He declined chemotherapy for lung cancer. Jack instead chose to focus on quality-of-life issues. Sadly, his imbalance issues from the hydrocephalus caused him to fall 4 times within 7 days using his walker and Marsha was physically unable to lift him from the floor to his in-home hospital bed and he was admitted to hospice care in January 2026.

Jack is survived by his wife of 29 years, Marsha Haller-Smythe Voges, and his beloved son in law Christopher William Smythe of High Point, NC. Also surviving are two estranged sons, Stephen Alexander Voges (Sarah) and Christopher John Voges (Kelly) both of the Lowcountry area; 3 grandchildren; two sisters, Barbara Sue Artuso of Katonya, NY and Kerri Genovesi of Ft. Myers, FL.; and numerous relatives in the Netherlands and Saint Maarten.

Per his wishes, Jack will be buried at sea.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Home Hospice 112 Rutledge Ave Suite #A Charleston SC, 29406.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online Carolina Memorial Gardens located online at Home - Carolina Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Carolina Memorial Gardens.