John grew up fishing and playing baseball in the McGaheysville/Harrisonburg area, and graduated from Montevideo High School in 1959. John was an avid baseball pitcher and proudly shared stories of pitching a no hitter in his youth. As a young adult he enjoyed cool cars of the era. He spent his adult life in Charlottesville, retiring from 25 years of service with the Virginia ABC store. He enjoyed NASCAR, fishing, coin collecting, and spending time with family.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brothers Billy and Dickie Smith.
John is survived by his three children: Cheryl Sandridge and her family, Rick, Grant, and Maegan; Marc Smith and his wife, Jeannine; Robin Aker and her family, Chuck, and Alec; along with nephews, Steve Smith, Gregory Smith, Kevin Smith, and Jeffery Smith.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 1pm-2pm at Teague Funeral Service, 2260 Ivy Road, Charlottesville VA 22903. A memorial service will immediately follow at 2pm, in the Chapel, with Reverend David Collyer, Senior Pastor of Crozet Baptist Church, presiding.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made a local SPCA, or the Ronald McDonald House or Crozet Baptist Church.
