Doyle Jackson Smith II

Doyle Jackson (D. Jack) Smith II

Memphis, TN

Doyle Jackson (D. Jack) Smith II, 78, of Memphis and Naples, FL, beloved husband, father, compatriot, and friend, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2016. Mr. Smith graduated from Central High School and received his Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University (Cum Laude in three years) and his law degree from Harvard Law School (awarded First Place Best Brief, Ames Competition).

Mr. Smith, a member of the Tennessee Bar, was also licensed to practice law in New York and Washington, D.C. He served two terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives, where he was Chairman of the Tennessee House Committee on Business, sponsored and passed Tennessee's first Child Abuse Legislation, and repealed the infamous Scopes Trial Law.

As a practicing attorney, Mr. Smith, widely known as the "Grandfather of Multi-Level Marketing Law," built a worldwide practice representing clients nationally and internationally from Germany to Taiwan. He handled over 5,000 different business marketing legal matters, published over 125 articles and two books on direct selling, and served as Attorney and Board Member of Multi-Level Marketing National and International Associations.

Mr. Smith was a student and avid reader of both American and British History, a member and former Vice Chairman of the Shelby County Historical Society, and a lifelong member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

As the family genealogist, Mr. Smith traced his heritage directly from John Sevier, 1st Governor of Tennessee and Bonny Kate, 1st Lady of Tennessee, to the Plantagenet Kings of England. His great uncle founded the first railroad in the U.S., the "Best Friend of Charleston," in 1830. During his life, Mr. Smith was very active as the 6th Lord of the Manor, Great Horwood, Buckinghamshire, England, serving in various village affairs and presiding over the village's celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee honoring her 60th year of reign.

Mr. Smith, a Trustee of the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, loved art and the museum. He also served on the Board of Directors at the Warrior Center.

He found his latest passion, bodybuilding, at the age of 74. He trained, competed, and placed in various competitions throughout the southeast, and was awarded First Place at the 2014 NPC Tennessee State Bodybuilding Championship, Men's Masters Over 70 Age Group.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Christine Smith Mestemacher (Mark) and Buz Smith (Michelle), grandchildren Corinne and Philip Mestemacher and twins Taylor Smith Babington (Hansen) and Austin Smith, and stepchildren Maddie and Mary Morgan of Madison, MS.

A private ceremony and burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery.

The family requests any memorials be sent to the Warrior Center, 642 Semmes, Memphis 38111, or to the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park Ave., Memphis 38117.