John James Smith M.D.

Dr. John James Smith, M.D. ("JJ") was born in the Ozarks of Arkansas on December 12, 1931, and many miles and years later, he passed away in Anchorage, Alaska on July 29, 2025.
In between were many places and people. He was raised in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, never losing his southern accent or approach to life. JJ earned his undergraduate degree at Mississippi State University, and then earned his M.D. degree at Tulane University, following in the footsteps of his father, uncles and grandfathers. While at Tulane, he married the woman who got him through undergraduate chemistry with a passing grade, Regina ("Mickey").
JJ and Mickey were married for 65 years until she passed away in 2019, after many adventures that included raising five children and several moves around the U.S., including a stint in the Air Force that brought them to Alaska for the first time, in 1961. They survived the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake (although the house they were renting did not) and moved back to the Lower 48 for several years before returning to Alaska in 1971, never to move again. JJ was a dedicated family physician, working as an M.D. for over fifty years. He was also a remote-control airplane afficionado and, in addition to taking up both a room in the basement of their house and a large part of the garage with his RC model collection and associated gear, spent many vacations at RC events and meets. In his younger days, JJ loved off-roading with his children packed in the back of his 1947 Willys jeep and camping no matter what the weather. He and Mickey put many thousands of miles on their small RV after all the kids had left home.
JJ is survived by five children (Elizabeth, Barbara, Charles, Stephen and Marjorie), seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren (with another due in September). He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Herma, his brother Mac, and his wife Mickey. JJ's memorial service will be held Friday, August 22nd, at Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E Street, Anchorage.