Juan Smith

1952 - 2021

Juan was born in Vera Cruz Mexico May 18th, 1952. He grew up in the Balbuena area of Mexico City and lived there until he moved to Chicago in December of 1971 at the age of 19. He had a friend living in Chicago, but when he arrived at his apartment, he found his friend had moved to Las Vegas a couple of weeks earlier. Fortunately, his friend's roommates let him stay and helped him get a job as a dishwasher. Juan worked in the restaurant business several years and then at the Chicago Board of Trade. He met Joan, his wife of 38 years, when they lived in the same apartment building on Dearborn Street. They chatted briefly and did not see each other until 6 months later when their paths crossed when Joan was walking home from work. He said hello to her and asked if she remembered him from the earlier meeting. She did not. He immediately asked her out which she declined. She had moved to a different apartment on Dearborn and in their chat, she mentioned the address. Later that evening he was ringing her apartment buzzer and again asking her out. This time she accepted. They were married 2 1/2 years later in November of 1982. Their son Paul was born in 1986. Their son Brian was born in 1991 shortly after their move to The Woodlands. In Texas Juan worked in sales with the last 20 + years in the car business beginning with Landmark Chevrolet.

Juan is predeceased by his beloved grandmother Facunda Martinez, his brother Arturo Smith, sister in law Patricia Smith Carbajal, his stepfather Arturo Salazar and his suegeros Tom and Barbara Street. He is survived by his wife Joan Street Smith, sons Paul and Brian Smith, his dear mother Josefina Hipólito Salazar, sister Lilia Angelica Salazar, nieces Andrea Casillas, Carolina Smith, Claudia Smith, nephews Jorge Smith, Alberto Casillas, brother and sister in law John and Mary (Trepanier) Street and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

A visitation will be held Tuesday August 10h from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Forest Park funeral home in The Woodlands. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday August 11th at 11:00 am in the Robb Chapel of The Woodlands United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to Angel Reach (www.angelreach.org) or the charity of your choice.