Harvey C. Smith

03/20/1944 - 01/06/2026

Harvey Charles Smith, 81, of Jackson, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on January 6, 2026, surrounded by family.
Harvey was born on March 20, 1944, in Alliance, Ohio, to Harvey and Eunice Smith. He grew up in Alliance and later moved to Jackson, Michigan, in 1976, where he spent the remainder of his life in the same home.
He was married to his wife, Charlotte (Kernodle), for 60 years. Together, they built a life centered on family, independence, and doing things their own way. Harvey is survived by his children, Aaron (Lisa) Smith and Kristin (Doug) Larkey; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his sisters, Ellen Cabassa, Julie Betz, and Donna Smith; and his daughter-in-law, Linda. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Mark, who passed away on the same date, January 6.
Harvey began his career as a draftsman before becoming a successful salesman in the machine tool industry. He later became a self-made entrepreneur and businessman, founding and building two successful screw machine companies, both of which continue to operate today.
He was known for his generosity, sense of humor, practical wisdom, and willingness to take chances, which often paid off. In his younger years, Harvey enjoyed hunting, drag racing, and motocross, and later in life developed a passion for boxing as part of the YMCA Rock Steady program. Harvey was also known as the ultimate "do-it-yourselfer," once removing the cast from his leg with a buck knife before a business trip. One winter, he fashioned a makeshift plow for his lawn tractor from pieces of scrap wood he had lying around. The family also fondly remembers that he built a go-kart from pieces of angle iron and a roto-tiller engine.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Vandercook Baptist Church, 703 E. McDevitt Ave, Jackson, MI 49203.