Jay Smith

Jay H. Smith Jr. of Hulett passed away on August 29 of an extended illness. Jay was born December 26, 1930 in Tampa, Florida as the oldest son to Julius and Josephine Smith. His parents preceded him in death. Jay spent his working years as an engineer in the aerospace industry, an industry that he loved. He was able to work on projects such as the Apollo program, the Space Shuttle, and Skylab; the first manned space station, as well as many other portions of various aerospace projects. Throughout his career he was able to meet such noted people as astronaut Jack Lousma and Wernher von Braun who is regarded as the father of the United States space program. Prior to his entry into the aerospace industry he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. After the Navy he attended college and met his wife of 50 years, Janice, in San Diego. Together they had four children, Daniel Smith of Billings, MT, Donald Smith of Gillette, WY, Sharon McCarey of Sammamish, WA and Carole Smith of Castle Rock, CO. With their children, Jay and Janice moved from California to Colorado to Mississippi and back to Colorado, finally to retire in Wyoming, an area they prized. They bought a piece of ground, built their house and call it their ?privacy buffer?. Jay is survived by his wife Janice, their four children; brother Nick of Melrose, FL; sisters Carolyn of Miami, FL; Lucille of Decatur, GA; and an aunt, Beth Smith of Jacksonville, FL as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Coming from a strong Italian family, he is also survived by numerous close and caring cousins. His unique sense of engineer humor and strong political opinions will be missed by many who new him. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Jay?s name to Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.