JERALD S SMITH, SR

Jerald (Jerry) Sheppard Smith, Sr., 81, of Seaford, DE, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford, DE.

Born April 29, 1936, he was the first child of the late Catherine (nee Bowden) and John Sheppard Smith. Jerry was a graduate of Seaford High School Class of 1954, where he was a member of the football team.

After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Socha. They were married for 40 years, and became parents to four children. Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served four years as a military policeman. He intended to become a DE State Police officer, but was an inch short of the imposed six feet height restriction at that time.

Jerry worked briefly for a New Jersey shipyard, using knowledge learned from his grandfather, who had owned a Seaford shipyard. He then worked for a short time at DuPont, and then for Comfort Heating and Air, Inc. in Bridgeville. After completing several advanced courses and classes in Wilmington, he became a certified licensed technician in HVAC. In 1976, he established his own business, Jerry Smith Refrigeration, serving commercial and industrial facilities, as well as residential customers for over 40 years. He was a long-standing member of the Refrigeration Service and Engineers Society of the Eastern Shore, where he once served as president.

Jerry held the rank of Eagle Scout, and later served as a Cub Scout Master. He was a coach with the Nanticoke Little League, and was a member of the Seaford Lions Club, where he served one year as president. He had been a member of a Thursday night men’s bowling league.

Jerry was a member of Blades United Methodist Church, where he had been active and served on the Board of Trustees.

His son, Michael Smith, of FL predeceased him in 2009, as well as, a brother, Kenneth Smith of PA in 2017.

Surviving Jerry are two sons, Jerald S. Smith, Jr., and his wife Rhonda of Martinsburg, WV, and David C. Smith of Laurel, DE; and one daughter, Beth Moyer of Seaford; his former wife and friend, Dorothy Smith Groves of Seaford; two sisters, Sandy S. Madwar, and husband, David, of Columbus, OH, and Cindy Lyons Taylor, and husband, Jeff of Seaford; a sister-in-law, Nancy Smith of PA;  seven grandchildren, Dean Smith, WV, Jason Smith, FL, Jesse Smith, FL, CJ Smith, Georgetown, Chelsea Clifton, Milford, Mitchell Moyer, Seaford, and Ethan Grimes, Seaford; and six great-grandchildren. Several uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive him.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 17. Visitation will be from noon to 1, with a memorial ceremony immediately following at 1 pm. at Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N Shipley St., Seaford, DE.

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