Jess joined the Navy in 1942 and remained in either active or reserve duty until 1979. Jess worked in sales at Sinclair Oil Company and then owned his own automobile repair shop in Oklahoma City.
On July 10th, 1948 Jess married Betty Jo Biggs and they remained husband and wife until her death in 2012.
Jess is preceded in death by two brothers Edwin and Richard Smethers and three sisters, Evelyn Young, Aileen Collins and Letta Dougherty.
Jess is survived by three children Jim, Dale, and Sandra, two grandchildren Ashley Johnson, Jake Smethers and one great grandson Josiah James Johnson.
Jess’ life was devoted to family and faith. He will greatly missed by all.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 21, 2019 at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper with a 2:00 p.m. Interment at Longwood Cemetery in Ponca City, OK. Visitation will be 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper.