Jack L. Smith

Mason City, Iowa Jack L. Smith, age 83, of Mason City, and formerly Britt, died Friday, December 18, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 P.M., on Monday, December 28, 2009, at the Methodist Church, 707 4th St. S.W. Britt, IA. with Rev. Bob Dodge and Pastor Clyde Harvey officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the spring. There will be no visitation, per his wishes he was cremated. Memorials may be directed to the Jack L. Smith memorial fund in care of the family.
Jack L. Smith was born May 26, 1926, the youngest son of John and Rosa (Titus) Smith in Harcourt, Iowa. At a young age Jack and his older brother Jimmie and parents moved to the family farm north of Wesley, IA. Jack attended country schools and graduated from Britt High School in 1942, he also attended Junior College for a short time. After graduation he farmed with is father at the family farm. He was married to Leona Smidt on August 21, 1945 in Kanawha, IA. Together they farmed until 1958, they then moved to Britt, IA where Jack was part owner/manager of the Hutchins Elevator. In 1961 Jack and Leona moved to California where Jack was employed with several different trucking companies as a manager and also worked in sales. In 1998 they moved back to Britt, IA where they owned and operated the Britt Motel and they also refurbished several houses in town. Together they enjoyed traveling all over the country in their Motor Home until Jacks health started to fail. Jack was an all around handyman and also enjoyed golfing and spending time with family and friends. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Leona E. Smith of Mason City; sons, Gary and wife Donna Smith of Mason City, David Smith of Moose Lake, MN; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Mark in 2000 and Thomas in 2006; and a brother, Jimmie Smith in WWII.