Jack Leroy Smith, age 72 of Fremont, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at the Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus Heart Center in Grand Rapids. Jack was born on March 30, 1936 in Grayling to Roy and Emma (Hendrickson) Smith and met and later married Jean Haskin on July 22, 1967 in Ann Arbor. Jack started work at the Hills & Dales Hospital in Cass City as the laboratory director and later moved to Fremont in 1969 where he became the laboratory director at Gerber Memorial Health Services in Fremont for 29 years until his retirement in 1998. Jack was a member of the Fremont United Methodist Church where he was active in the ramp building group, driving group for the visually impaired, and was a mentor for the Kids Hope USA through the church. Jack was a proud member of the Experimental Aviation Association and flew hundreds of Young Eagles on their first flights out of the Fremont Airport. Jack enjoyed spending time with his family during times spent hunting, fishing, camping, horse back riding and traveling with Jean to horse shows. Jack was also a member of the Michigan Trail Riders Association. Jack is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jean of Fremont; his children, Jack Smith II. of Rothbury; Jane Ann (Joe) Tate of Caro; Joseph R. (Janice) Smith of Caro; Kim (Gene) Crittenden of Davisburg; Craig (Betsy) Smith of Grand Rapids; Wesley (Traci) Smith of Wellston; 13 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; his sister, Arlene (Joel) Betts of Rockford; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Jean Wilson and Judy Englund. Funeral services were held on Friday, May 16, 2008 from the Fremont United Methodist Church with Rev. Carolin Spragg presiding. Interment will take place in the Fremont United Methodist Church Memorial Garden. Friends are asked to consider the Salvation Army or Newaygo County Community Services (NCCS) for memorial contributions in memory of Jack. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Smith family online at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home Fremont Chapel.