John Cyrus Smith

John Cyrus Smith died at Mantey Heights on March 14, 2017, in Grand Junction, CO. “Guess old age has finally caught up with me,” he said. He suffered from kidney failure in the last months of his life. His passage was made easier by hymns, Bible passages and old Camp Songs, holding Janice’s hand until his last breath. He was 96 years, 11 months, and 9 days old.

His birth took place in the farmhouse in Black Lick Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He was the first child of Vernetta and George Smith and was the sole survivor of his seven siblings: Edith Elwell, Isabel Lukas, Annabel, Helena, Robert, Harold, and Walter Smith.

He spent his childhood on his family’s farm working with Barney, his work horse, and his Dad and siblings. He and his mom had an Egg Route in Blairsville selling eggs, butter, and vegetables from the farm. ”Country Jake” is what the city kids yelled at him.

His mother, a retired school teacher, helped them with their lessons all around the big kitchen table at night. She must have been an excellent teacher, because five of them went on to get Masters and one sister a PhD.

Cyrus graduated from Blairsville High School, received his bachelor’s degree from Washington and Jefferson College, followed by a Master in Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

The churches he served ran the gamut from a small rural church in Western Pennsylvania to a congregation in Detroit comprised of recent immigrants from Cameron, Africa.

He and Freda Nadine Stewart were married in 1943 and raised five children. The Preacher’s Kids were John Cyrus Jr. ”Jack’ (Linda), Janice Nadine Ferguson(Craig), Carter Stewart (Joy), Daniel Brent (Jeannette),and Melanie Sue Sauza (Javier).

Cyrus was extremely proud and interested in his children and their progeny. His trips to visit his grandchildren and having them visit him were bright moments in his life. He followed their successes with great enthusiasm.

Part of his fathering duties included teaching his children to fish at Wyatt’s Pond and swim at Lake Erie, and the joy of not finding the trails end, but the mindfulness of enjoying the journey and turkey tail fungus along the way. He had a great love of identifying birds and flowers.

Always civically minded, he received threats, letters, and comments telling him to stick to Biblical themes and not preach using current events as examples, which could be controversial.

Always being a farm boy at heart, he was a Master Gardener and raised large, prolific vegetable gardens in Detroit, Michigan, which he shared with his neighbors.

Cyrus was a curious amalgam of Bible knowledge, church protocol, worldliness, and awareness of the natural world. He was intellectually sophisticated, which was influenced by extensive travel outside the United States, including the Holy Land. Other foreign countries he explored were Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, England, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada.

After moving to Colorado from Detroit in 2008, he lived independently at Nellie Bechtel Apartments. His last few years at the Commons, an assisted living community, were filled with making new friends, painting in watercolor classes and exercise. He continued his ministry by friendly conversation and remembering other residents’ names and personal stories.

Cyrus was an asset to the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Junction as an Associate Pastor. but his greatest contribution was as the facilitator for the 9:15 Forum, an open, controversial, thought -provoking Bible/life study.

Always a scholar, he enjoyed his computer, studying and researching for more information to deepen his teaching and understanding. He possessed a curious and open mind and was always ready to listen to the opinions of others. He had a gift of working with people and seemed to fit in, no matter what the situation.

The Silver Sneakers Progam at Crossroads Fitness Center was another community in Cyrus’ life. For five years he worked out inspiring younger participants and made good friends, who honored him yearly with a birthday party.

He was preceded in death by Freda; his daughter, Rebecca Ann; and his seven siblings. He is survived by his five children, nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren.

The family would gratefully like to thank the incredible staff at the Commons Assisted Living, Mantey Heights Rehab Center, and Dr. Amy Mohler for their excellent and comforting care. Special thanks to Bob Brown for his constant companionship and assistance to Cyrus.

Donations in Cyrus’ name may be made Grand Valley Audubon Society, PO Box 1211, Grand Junction, CO 81502, website address for donations is: http://www.audubongv.org/m embershipdonations.html,

HopeWest, 3090B N 12th Street, Grand Junction.CO 81506 or charity of your choice.

A memorial service will take place on May 6, 2017, at 1100 at First Presbyterian Church (3940 27 ½ Road, Grand Junction, CO). Please join us to reminisce about Cyrus journey and attend the luncheon to follow. Callahan-Edfast is in charge of the arrangements. To see a video of his life and offer words of comfort to his family visit @ www.callahan-rdfast.com.

An inurnment will take place at Oakland Cemetery In Indiana, Pennsylvania, this summer.