Jack Edward Smathers

Jack Edward Smathers, 75, of Candler, died on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at the Charles George VA Medical Center. Born on March 25, 1940, in Asheville, Mr. Smathers was a son of the late Clifford Samuel and Belle Zora Franks Smathers. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Marie Smathers; daughter, Patricia Ann Smathers; and sisters, Gladys Payne, Beulah Maney, Margaret Hanssen, and Ruby Davis. Mr. Smathers lived at Black Mountain Presbyterian Children's Home as a child, and later was a Class of '58 graduate of Black Mountain High School, where he was an outstanding football player. Mr. Smathers then enlisted with the U.S. Army, serving from 1958 to 1962, in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. Once back home, he began his career with Southern Bell Telephone, starting as a lineman, and eventually becoming an installer and repairman before retiring in 1994. He was very skilled and conscientious at his job. Mr. Smathers will be remembered as a very devoted father. Much of his spare time was spent treating his children to special activities like trips to the fair, and even bungee jumping. Mr. Smathers is survived by his children, Jacqueline Elizabeth Smathers; son, Timothy Smathers; grandchildren, Jack and Jesse Smathers, whom he reared, Ann Marie Smathers, Heaven Smathers, and Skyleigh Smathers; siblings, Clifford S. Smathers, II (Thelma), Elizabeth Johnson (Bob), Eulah Scott, Essie Joan Nichols, Charlotte McElrath (Lester), and Dorothy Freeman (Jack). A funeral service for Mr. Smathers will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. with the Rev. Leon Stewart officiating. Interment will follow at Piney Mountain United Methodist Church Cemetery. His family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. The online register is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.