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When “Smitty” was born in Corsicana back in 1915 his father was superintendent of schools there. Now a healthy, dark complexioned man known for his lively conversation, Smith got his first look at Palacios when his father took over as head master at San Marcos Academy shortly after his son was born. The academy taught its summer courses here during those years and Smith came down with his father for the summer work. The Smiths moved to Commerce, Texas in 1925, with Smith’s father taking the position of Dean of Men of East Texas State Teachers College. From the time he was 13 years old, Smith played and worked with jazz bands in his spare time, traveling all over Texas and neighboring states. He went through school and graduated at Commerce High School in 1933. Majoring in music, math and science, he went on to graduate from East Texas State Teachers college in 1936. Smith’s first teaching job following graduation was as band director at the high school in Grand Falls out in West Texas. The next year, 1937, he went to Honey Grove as band director and moved on up to Graham the following year. Directing the Graham High School Band in 1938, 1939 and 1940, he came to Palacios to begin the year in 1940, but after a year at Palacios High School he went to UCLA for a degree in meteorology and became a staff weather officer for the Air Forces in Europe. During World War II Smith reached the rank of major with the air force and returned here as junior high school principal in ’45. He has been principal of the senior high school since 1954. Back during the early days of his teaching career, Smith went back and married a girl from Athens he had met in College. She was then teaching in a rural school near Athens and is now teaching home economics here. Smith, who enjoys fishing, photography, music and surveying, has two children, one boy, six, and one girl, five. But, like his father, he’s still an educator.
Palacios Beacon, November 22, 1956 |
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The Smiths had made Palacios their home since 1940-41, returning again at the end of World War II, selecting this location because of the happy memories the town had held for Mr. Smith since childhood. Their children have grown up in Palacios, completed their public school, and have gone on to college from Palacios.. During World War II Mr. Smith served as a meteorologist with the 8th Air Force, participating in the D-Day Invasion of Europe, and suffering a partial disability as a result of the conflict while in southern France and in Germany. His life's work was for continuous improvement of education in Palacios Schools and he has been instrumental in the development of new programs, seeing new buildings rise and a new campus come into view. His influence on the young people of the area has been great, and he will be remembered by the many students and friends who have been associated with him. Mr. Smith has been active in many professional organizations, serving on local, county and state level boards and committees in T. S. T. A. His participation in the Association of Secondary School Principals was extensive, serving on several state level committees. He was active in working for accreditation excellence with the Southern Association of Colleges, Universities, and Secondary Schools. In December he and Supt. Holst traveled to Dallas to receive a plaque honoring Palacios as one of the few schools in Texas holding Southern Association accreditation for fifty years. He has also been active in the American Legion and in various Sportsmen's groups. He has been a member of Texas Surveyors Association over 20 years. The Smiths are members of the Presbyterian Church, where he served as an officer. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, two children, Guy Smith III, and his wife, Sherry of Huntsville, and Renee Gilbertson and her husband, David of Houston. He has one grandson, Jesse Guy Smith IV. Also surviving are his father, Dr. Jesse Guy Smith of Manfield and two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Gerbetz of Arlington and Dr. Nancy Boze of Dickinson. Funeral arrangements were handled by Palacios Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Charles Shreve, John Louderback, Leon Bullock, Vic Kahlich, Charles Wiggs, and R. C. Shelton. Honorary pallbearers were E. H. Hutto, Larry Deadrick, Ralph Newsom, Boyd Light, Don Hyett, Bill Sisco, Jack Maddox, John Toellner, Bob Herlin, Rev. J. R. Gwin, Bernard Rother, David Jennings, John Rother, W. J. Arrington, George Holst, Dave Boling, Charlie Johnson, Bob Trull, Dr. E. B. Sanford and Norman Brotemarkle. There was a Color Guard present from Ellington Air Force base to present the flag ceremony and gun salute to honor Mr. Smith. Palacios Beacon, November 21, 1974
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Funeral services for Dorothy Smith, 87, of Huntsville, were held Sept. 13, 2001 at Old Waverly Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dan Alexander officiating. Interment was at Palacios Cemetery. Mrs. Smith retired as a home economics teacher for over 30 years in Palacios. She is survived by daughter, Renee Stone and husband Robert of New Waverly; son, Jesse Guy Smith III and wife Sherry of Huntsville; grandchildren, Jesse Guy Smith IV, Jessica Stone Starkey and husband Shane, Cody Smith, Corey Smith, Carley Smith, Charlotte Stone, Scott Robert Stone and other loving relatives. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Guy Smith, Jr.
Pallbearers were Jesse Guy Smith
IV, Cody Smith, Corey Smith, Shane Starkey and Scott Stone.
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Playing
in jazz bands, surveying, the air force and other occupations have
had their appeal to J. G. Smith, high school principal, but he’s
always returned to and stuck with high school teaching, following in
the steps of his father.
Jesse
Guy Smith, Jr., 59, principal of Palacios High School, passed away
at 12:30 p. m. Wednesday, November 13, at M. D. Anderson Hospital in
Houston.
