Jerry Sibert Smith

Jerry S. Smith was born on Oct. 9,1940 in Buffalo, NY, the exact day that John Lennon was born. He passed away on Jan. 26,2026. In Salinas, CA. He was the son of Sewall & Mary Smith. His family moved to CA, First to Lafayette and then to Berkeley. He attended Berkeley High and graduated in 1957. He made tons of friends and traveled throughout the entire country with his best friend Jim Harris. Jerry had traveled and visited 49/50 states, throughout his lifetime. Alaska being the only one he never got to. He and Jim hitchhiked around the USA from CA to the far midwest. Hired for odd jobs and working on farms doing whatever he could to keep his journey moving. Working for food/ shelter he traveled this country with great enthusiasm, admiration, hope and pride!
Jerry first earned his Associates in Arts degree from Chabot Community College in Hayward, Ca in 1965. He earned his BA Degree in 1967 from Mankato State, MN. He worked hard to earn his Masters Degree in 1973 from San Francisco State University.

He was a DIE HARD CAL Berkeley fan! His first CAL football game was on Nov. 5,1949 at the age of 9. Cal beat Washington State 33-14. And his love, faith and support for Cal football was sealed forever. He was known by all his lifelong CAL football/ tailgate family as the legendary: "Jerry Bear Hat"! Jerry also loved baseball and the Chicago Cubs were his favorite team. His favorite baseball player of all time growing up was Andy Pafko.

Enthusiastically traveling around the country over numerous summers in the 1990's with his son Matt, they both happily achieved visiting over 26+ Major League baseball parks together. He also enjoyed CAL basketball. He loved Traditional New Orleans Jazz, blues and folk music. He loved many genres of music immensely which he would sing and dance happily to, especially with friends and family. He was a fun loving humorous person with wits of steel, who was full of life with a passion that was uniquely unmatched in so many ways. He had the gift-of-gab! He also loved cats as well. He named almost all of his cats throughout his lifetime after famous CAL football players.

His First introduction to teaching was in Salt Lake City, UT from the summer of 1967-'69. Jerry married his first wife Kathy in 1974. He taught with Kathy at Feather River Preparatory School in Blairsden-Graeagle, CA near Truckee. Before moving to Salinas to accept a job in the Salinas Union High School District. Where he dedicated his life for over 30 years teaching the community. He started work at Alisal High School for 9 yrs. from 1976-1985. He moved onto North Salinas High School for the next 14 yrs. from 1985-1999. He then moved on to working at Mt. Toro High School for 5 yrs. From 2000-2005. Jerry then wrapped up his teaching career by returning to North Salinas High School where he taught for his final year. He retired happily and contently, in 2006.

Reaching, teaching and nurturing the minds of well over 10,000+ students in his career, Jerry was a strong active member in the Salinas Teachers Union for decades. He was a proud member of the Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers(SVFT) local chapter#1020. He was a member of the California federation of teachers(CFT) and won the "Pride of The Union" Award in 2002 for his political involvement. Jerry was a very passionate speech and debate team leader in the Salinas Union High School District. He was also the president of the Lions Club in Morgan Hill where he coached and led a debate team in his early retirement.

In early 2011 Jerry wrote and published a book called: "It's Not About The Students". He wrote of the ups and downs of the education system and how he tried diligently and passionately toeing the line in the middle of all its many complexities and politics.. Helping as many people as he could along his life's journey, trying to navigate and make sense of all the unfair policies of the education system and exposing them at their cores. Descriptively, showing and representing the good, the bad and the ugly sides of the public education system. He fought so hard for what was truly, morally right and stood up to what was wrong! He truly fought the good fight for humanity.
Jerry had divorced Kathy and remarried in 2006 to Lennie. He is survived by 3 children: His son, Matthew and his daughters, Felina and Joy.

A celebration of life will be held for Jerry on Feb. 22, 2026 at the Sherwood Lake Mobile Home Park, Recreation clubhouse. It is located at: 150 Kern St. Salinas, Ca, 93905. From 1230-430pm. It will be a potluck, so please bring your stories to share and maybe a favorite dish or dessert that you know Jerry would've loved! Also if you want too please bring kazoos, harmonicas, noise makers or musical instruments to celebrate Jerry's love of music and his li