Jerome Dean "JD" Smith

Jerome Dean Smith, of Rockwall, Texas, left this earth t o be with Jesus o n Monday, March 16, 2026, at the age o f 90. He was surrounded b y his children i n the comfort of his home when he took his last breath.

Named after "Dizzy" Dean, a pro baseball player in the 30's, and known to most as J.D., he was Joe t o his family and friends growing u p and in his young adult years. J.D was born, the 3rd o f 7, in Oklahoma on November 27, 1935. He was the son of an Oklahoma sharecropper, out in the fields picking cotton by the age of 6. He was born again as a teenager, led by a pastor and evangelist to believe Romans 10:9-10.

J.D. served in the United States Army. After his time in the military, he spent his years working in manufacturing, operating his own business Smith Tool & Mfg. from 1975 to 2001, when he passed the torch. The business he built from the ground up in his garage is still operating today in Wylie, Texas.

His success in business allowed J.D. to invest in ministry, schools of theology, churches and pastors - locally, nationally, and internationally. He didn't just sow funds, but took the opportunities given him to travel to India, countries of the old Soviet Union - Ukraine, Moldova, and other places as well, where he sowed of himself.

J.D. and his wife Shirley served the church in various ways over the years. He has served as a Sunday school teacher, led Bible study groups, preached from the pulpit, and been a member at Ridgeview Church, where he was serving as an elder, for more than 30 years.

In everything he did, and everywhere he went, J.D. was preaching and teaching - Getting everybody he encountered started on the way home.

In addition to his parents, H.A. and Effie Smith, he was preceded in death by his wife Shirley; sister RoFaye Hayes; brother Ronnie Smith; daughter-in-law Shannon Smith; and son-in-law Billy Eppler.

He is survived by his children: son Jim Palmer and wife Helen of McKinney; son David Smith of Sachse; daughter Vicki Lewis and husband Keith of Garland; son Steven Smith and wife Sharon of Elmo; and daughter Laura Eppler of St. Paul; his brothers: Bill, Donnie, John and Jim; 20 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren with another on the way, 1 great grandson and numerous nephews and nieces.

We will be celebrating his life on Friday, March 27 at Ridgeview Church in Rockwall. The service will start at 10am. A viewing will also be held at Ridgeview on Thursday, March 26 from 5-7pm. There will be a graveside service at Rest Haven Cemetery in Rockwall immediately following the service on Friday, expected to begin at 11:30am.