Jay Steven Smith

1976 - 2025

Jay Steven Smith

September 20, 1976 - June 24, 2025

MUSCATINE– Jay Steven Smith, 48, passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, due to injuries sustained from an automobile accident.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. A private burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his mother, Carla, in Jay's honor. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

Jay Steven Smith was born September 20, 1976, at the University of Iowa Hospital, son to William G. (Bill) and Carla Smith. A 1995 graduate of MHS, Jay went on to earn his AA degree from Kirkwood Community College.

Jay was a tender-hearted man with a tough exterior. From a young age, he loved being outside with friends and neighbors, seeking out adventures and going through neighborhood yard sales looking for treasures. At an early age he had a knack for collecting comic books, VHS tapes, albums, t-shirts, posters, and other cool stuff. Jay also enjoyed boating, camping, riding his bike and he especially loved all of his dogs.

Twice, Jay ventured to Chicago to live and work. He was able to experience so many things that he had always wanted to, but the last time he moved back home he said it was to stay, and he did.

Jay worked at Grosjean Collision and he loved going there every day. He also had a weekend gig at Ragged Records in Davenport, which he saw more as therapy than work, and which brought him so much happiness.

Jay never forgot his real friends from his younger years, and he made many more along the way. He was someone you could always count on. He loved really good chocolate, great pizza, and even bad pizza, and especially heavy metal music. He finally got to see his favorite band of all time, Metallica, in St. Louis in 2023, and it was the last on his list of must-see concerts.

Jay is survived by his mom and stepdad, Carla and Mark Diercks; his aunts and uncles, Mike and Leanne Theobald, John and Terry Theobald, Jim and Paulette Theobald, Mary Theobald, Chuck and Roberta Smith, and their families. Also surviving are his extended family, Gary and Karen Diercks, Jennifer and Jim Lofgren, Jake and Casey Diercks, and their families.

Jay is preceded in death by his dad, Bill; his grandparents, Carl and Betty Theobald, James C. Smith and Martha Thomas Smith McCray; his uncle, Steve Theobald; and his cat, Ash.