Donald James (Jack) Smith

Donald James (Jack) Smith was born on August 14, 1944, at William and Bertha Gannon's farm. They were his maternal grandparents, and the farm was located in Otho Township, near Reinersville, Ohio, in the southeastern part of the state. Alice, Jack's mother, was attended by her mother, Bertha Gannon, Alice's sister, Margaret, and the local doctor, Dr. Charles Deamude. His father, Emmett, was not in attendance as he was serving in the army as an infantryman in France and Germany.

After Jack's birth, many relatives came to the farm to see the newborn and spend time with the other family members. One of those family members was Andy Gannon, an older brother of William Gannon, the owner of the farm and the grandfather of the new arrival. When 'Uncle Andy' heard the name, "Donald James Smith," he looked around and declared to everyone, "No...we're calling him Jack!" And that was that.

Jack spent the beginning of his life in Beverly, Ohio. Jack attended Beverly Elementary School, Fort Frye Junior High, and Fort Frye High School. He played trumpet in the school band, delivered newspapers, was a Boy Scout, and raised bunnies for competition in the local County Fair. At the conclusion of the 9th grade in the summer of 1959, Jack moved with his family to Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Once in Florida, he attended Fort Myers High School, worked at a marina, and continued to nurture his artistic talents.

After graduating from Fort Myers High School in 1962, Jack attended the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. He loved his time at Ringling but lacked the funds to continue beyond one year. He returned to Fort Myers Beach in 1963 and began working. He also continued to pursue his interest in art, studying privately with Everett Leslie Waid, a graphic artist who was the Executive Director of the New York City Students' League before retiring to Fort Myers Beach. For a few months in 1964, Jack lived in New York City to study privately and create art.

In August of 1966, Jack founded Florida Climate Control, Inc., which eventually became known as Climate Control Systems, Inc. He served as the President and was the sole proprietor of the company. Based in Lehigh Acres, Florida, the company remained in continuous operation for 42 years until it was sold to Direct Energy, Inc. in 2008. Jack was also involved with many trade organizations that helped promote and advance the industry, including the Tri-County Air Conditioning Contractors' Association, South Florida Bid Depository, and the Five-County Air Conditioning and Plumbing Contractors' Association. He was also a past instructor for the South Florida Journeyman and Apprenticeship Program.

In addition to running a successful HVAC business, Jack was a citrus farmer. In 1976, Jack founded Rivergrove, a citrus-growing enterprise located in LaBelle, Florida, that primarily focused on growing fruit for the processed juice market. At one point, more than forty acres of citrus grove were operating under the family's ownership and care. He continued to cultivate citrus until August 2021.

Jack was involved with numerous professional and civic organizations. In 1972, he received the Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award from the Lehigh Acres Jaycees. Jack was a charter member of the Lehigh Acres Rotary Club, where he served as President and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served on the Boards of the Hendry County Local Planning Agency, the Lehigh Regional Medical Center, and the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce. He enthusiastically coached many youth sports teams. He served as a youth group leader and Sunday School teacher while a member of Carlson Memorial Methodist Church in LaBelle, FL.

After selling Climate Control Systems, Inc. in 2008, Jack had more time to create art. He made a great deal of art over the last fifteen years of his life and continued to produce art until the final couple of years of his life. Even after Alzheimer's impacted his abilities, the disease could not dampen his enthusiasm for making art or his creative genius, something that was inspiring to behold. After the sale of Climate Control Systems, Jack also became an avid hiker and backpacker, hiking more than 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail and multiple parts of the Florida Trail.

Jack was previously married to Margaret (Peggy) Taylor on April 24, 1965, in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. They had a son, Todd Christopher Smith, who now lives in Warrenton, NC. They divorced after eight years of marriage.

Jack met Lois in January of 1974. At the time, she worked for a local newspaper, selling display advertising. She took over a client list that included Climate Control. A few months after calling on "Mr. Smith," he asked her out to lunch. It was a pivotal moment for both of them, and soon they began seeing each other more and more. Jack married Lois Marie Morris on November 30, 1974, at the South Seas Resort on Captiva Island. They lived in Fort Myers after they married. In 1976, they began purchasing land in LaBelle, FL, located on the Caloosahatchee River, which included a citrus grove. This property would become Rivergrove, the family home from July 1979 until it was sold in August 2021. They had two boys, Evan Randolph Smith (now in Atlanta, GA) and Alexander Burton (Alex) Smith (now in Asheville, NC). Lois and Jack have worked together in all the family businesses.

Jack and Lois moved to Atlanta, GA, soon after leaving LaBelle, FL. They both called the Glenwood Park neighborhood home until Jack's caregiving needs became too great. Jack moved to Arbor Terrace in Decatur, GA, in July 2023 and passed away on January 3, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's.

Jack was a beloved husband, friend, dad, and grandpa. He is survived by his wife, Lois; three sons; and his two grandsons, Walt Maxwell Smith and Hank Montgomery Smith, who live in Atlanta, GA.

Jack's life will be celebrated on Sunday, January 25, at 1 pm at the Heitman House in downtown Fort Myers, located at 2577 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. All family and friends are welcome to join. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jack to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (https://www.appalachiantrail.org/), the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society (https://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/), or the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/).