Jack King Smith

Jack K. Smith passed away March 18, 2026 at the age of 82. Born Jackie King Smith May 11, 1943, in Lincoln, NE to Jack Jasper Smith and Mavie Doris King Smith. Shortly after the new family moved back to Texas where Jackie grew up in several communities in West Texas and later East Texas. He moved to Sulphur Springs, Texas before starting High School where he met Peggy Joyce Owens. In High School, he played on the varsity tennis team and was a member at First Methodist Church. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America and served on the Order of the Arrow. Among his accomplishments he was chosen as one of 2 scouts to represent his State at the 50th National Jamboree in Colorado. Upon graduation he attended East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas where he earned a degree in Political Science while being an active member of ROTC earning Outstanding Cadet and working part-time. His jobs included being a DJ at a local radio station and reading to a vision impaired attorney, Cameron McKinney. Years later he would name his son in honor of this mentor. Jack was accepted to Baylor Law in 1964 but deferred as the U.S. Air Force commissioned him as a 2nd Lieutenant moving to Champaign, Illinois initially. June 25, 1965, he married Peggy Joyce Owens in Sulphur Springs, Texas after her first year as a 5th grade teacher. They moved to the Little Rock Air Force base to start their life together. In July 1968, their first child, Stephanie Jo, was born. He left the Air Force as a Captain in the summer of 1968 moving his family to Waco, Texas to start Baylor Law school. While in law school, Jack was a member of the Harvey M. Richey Moot Court Society and served as Legislation Editor of the Baylor Law Review. He was also a member of the International Legal Fraternity Phi Delta Phi. After law school, he accepted a position at Dawson & Dawson in Corsicana, Texas, moving his expanding family in late 1970. Then in May 1971, they completed their family with the addition of their son, Jack Kameron. In the mid-70’s, he took a leap of faith and started his own law firm which progressively grew to two locations with several partners, multiple attorneys and staff. After closing his law firm, he went back to work managing in-house litigation throughout Texas for Zurich Insurance. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and expertise with his new colleagues. After retiring from Zurich, he continued practicing law in Corsicana and providing mediation services. Jack earned several legal honors over the years including the Texas Board of Legal Specialization – Personal Injury Trial Law (1979). He was admitted to the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1984) and was honored to be admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar in the early 1990’s. He earned the designation of Texas Bar Foundation Fellow in 1988 and became a Life Fellow Texas Bar Association in 1992. While in Corsicana, Jack was an active member of First Baptist Church teaching Sunday School, serving on various Committees and running the elevator the last several years. He was a member of Rotary Club holding various leadership positions including President. He served on the Board of Directors at Corsicana National Bank and as President of the Corsicana Country Club among other volunteer roles throughout the community. He was a lifelong Baylor Law Alumni member and spent many years traveling to Waco to attend football games. He enjoyed supporting the local FFA and purchased the occasional champion animal. He earned his private pilot license in 1975 and enjoyed flying around the State on business, visiting family and just for fun. He was an excellent provider for his family. He was a loyal friend. He was always available to listen or help. He was always on time, if not early. If he said he would do something, he did. His dress shoes were always shined to military standards. He set high expectations for himself and those around him. He had many friends and enjoyed many activities; golfing, hunting, fishing, boating, flying, traveling, and studying maps among a few. He loved to watch golf or football on Sunday afternoons. Most of all, he loved his family. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Peggy Smith of Corsicana, his daughter Stephanie Fisher and husband Brian of Conroe, son Kameron and wife Stacy of Austin, and his grandchildren, Grant Fisher of Raleigh, NC, Blake Fisher of Houston, Alexandra Fisher of Houston, Jack Kade Smith of Dallas, and Sophie Smith of Auburn, AL. He is also survived by his brother, Daniel J. Smith (Jane) of Grand Prairie, sisters-in-law Janie McLarry of Sulphur Springs, Barbara McKinney (Leldon) of Houston, Paula Stone (Leon) of Sulphur Springs, numerous nieces and nephews and their families. A memorial service will be held at 10:00am, Monday, March 30, 2026 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home with Dr. Danny P. Reeves officiating. A private family inurnment will take place at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Jack King Smith

May 11, 1943 - March 18, 2026