Jerry Smith

SMITH, Jerry
Of Kalamazoo Passed away Friday morning, June 15, 2012. Jerry was born December 3, 1937 in Charlotte, MI the son of Don and Dorothy Hitt Smith. A graduate of WMU with a Bachelor's degree in Music, Jerry began his teaching career in 1960 at Vicksburg Schools. He then went to Comstock Public Schools, teaching music and touching lives for nearly 40 years until his retirement in 1998. Jerry was the music director for over 250 musical productions, including "Lady in the Moon" which he wrote himself. He was a member of the music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and served as director of music for several different organizations which included; the Society for Preservation of Barbershop Quartets, Singing in America, Sing Out Kalamazoo, Civic Summer Theatre, and the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. Most of all Jerry loved having "adventures" with his family, especially his grandchildren. His favorite place of all was the family cabin at Higgins Lake, Michigan. After retirement he enjoyed working at The Teacher's Center and ushering at Miller Auditorium. On December 28, 1963 he was united in marriage to his loving wife, the former Margaret Oswalt who preceded him in death on May 8, 2002. Jerry is survived by his sons, Robert Stroud, Alan Shari Smith, Don Smith and Tammy McGowan, James Smith; 4 grandchildren, Stephanie Stroud, Brody Weed-Smith, Isabelle Stroud, Bryson Weed-Smith; 2 sisters, Joy Mogg, Rosalie Larry Bazzett; and several nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate Jerry's life will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, June 20 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. Friends may meet the family Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the Westside Chapel. Private interment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Jerry Smith Memorial Fund.