Jeffery Todd Smith

TRAVERSE CITY — Jeffery Todd Smith, 49, of Traverse City, died unexpectedly Saturday, June 6, 2009 at Munson Medical Center.

Jeff was born in Traverse City on Monday, Sept. 28, 1959, the son of George R. and Ruth Ann (Komrska) Smith. Jeff graduated from Dow High School in Midland and earned his associate's degree from Delta College.

While in the Midland area, he worked as a draftsman for a modular home distributor and was very talented and detailed in drawing plans for additions and sunrooms. In the mid 1990s, Jeff moved back to Traverse City and was currently employed at a family owned internet business.

Jeff was a licensed pilot and thoroughly enjoyed flying. He also enjoyed history, model building, NASCAR, politics, reading, movies and music. He loved spending time with family and friends, telling stories, gaining knowlege about new things and then sharing those facts with others. Jeff also enjoyed cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles and judging muscle car competitions.

Survivors include his parents, George and Ruth Ann Smith of Interlochen; his brother, Brad M. Smith and his fiancee Terri Zantello, of Traverse City; his sister, Lisa K. (Gerald) Murphy, of West Chester, Pa.; and his niece, Alexia K. Murphy and nephew, Greyson A. Murphy. Jeff's loving companion and dearest friend, Debra Trethaway, and her children, Travis and Ashley Briggs, survive, as does his grandfather, Leon Cooper, of Buckley, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Ruth C. Cooper and Loretta M. Smith, and grandfather, George Smith Sr; an uncle, Greg Cooper; and his aunt, Carol Komrska.

Family services will be held. In accordance with Jeff's wishes, cremation has taken place.

For those desiring to make a memorial contribution in Jeff's memory, the family suggests Grant United Methodist Church, 10999 Zue Road, Buckley, MI 49620 or the Wounded Warriors Project, 7020 A C Skinner, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

You may share your favorite memories of Jeff with his family at his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

The family is being served by The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.