Jay C. Smith

Jay C Smith of Sioux City, 76, passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2016, at his residence. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, February 18, 2016 at First Congregational United Church of Christ with Reverend Ryan Dowell-Baum officiating. Burial will follow at Logan Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-8 P.M. with the family present from 6-8 P.M. and a Prayer Service and Masonic Service held at 7:00 P.M. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. . Online condolences may be given at www.meyerbroschapels.com.    Jay Carleton Smith was born on a farm near Titonka, IA to Nadine (Harder) and Herbert Smith. Jay grew up on farms, and his first formal education was in a one-room school with his mother as teacher. He graduated from Ringstead High School in 1956 and attended Iowa State. He then began a life-long career in the insurance business. Jay was associated with Prudential, Bankers Life and Union Central prior to becoming an independent agent in 1979, which he remained until his death. He earned CLU and ChFC designations and a Masters degree in Financial Services from American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. He served as president of the Sioux City Association of Life Underwriters, the Sioux City General Agents and Managers Association, the Iowa GAMA, and was a founding member and later president of the Estate Planning Council of Greater Siouxland.    In 1960, Jay married Virginia Brady, and they had three children: Brian, Renee, and Neal. In 1994, Jay married Linda Schenk. He was a member of First Congregational UCC in Sioux City and was also warmly welcomed every spring by pastor Duane Brown and congregation as a member of Longville Community Church in Longville, MN. Since 2000, Jay and Linda have split their time between Sioux City and their beloved lake home in Longville. Together they enjoyed travel adventures to the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico and China. Jay adored their dogs Jake and Murphy and cat Lily, who didn’t leave his side until she saw him out of this world.    Jay was a music lover who sang bass in church choirs and barbershop quartets, through which he formed many friendships. He was a proud 35-year charter member of Siouxland Discovery Chorus and has been a member of six barbershop quartets- most recently, Senior Sounds. In 1996, as a member of Three Shorts and a Long, he competed at the Senior Quartet International Contest. A community-minded man, Jay was a Freemason for more than 50 years, and a Shriner. He chaired the Employer Support for Guard and Reserves for a decade, and was a longtime member of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Ambassador program.    Jay was an avid sportsman and devoted family man. He enjoyed bird hunting locally and deer hunting in Wyoming and Montana. He spent many summers fishing on Long Lake in northern Minnesota, his favorite place. He could tell a good fish tale and loved Ole and Lena jokes. Jay was a master at smoking meats and passed on this gift to his grandsons Steven and Josh. He also rode in RAGBRAI 8 times.    Jay died at home, surrounded by the love of his family. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Linda; children Brian, Renee (Mike) Anson, and Neal; stepchildren Leah, Bill and Laura Schenk; brother Billy (Ruth); step siblings Tom and Fred Priestman and Betty Munro; grandchildren Rachel McFarland, Bradley (Secily) Anson, Steven Anson, Josh Smith and Kristin Babb; step grandchildren Emma, Julia and Ian Bukowski; great-grandchildren Kaylee, John, Landon, Emily and Harley; niece Lori Vara; and nephews Bill and William.    He is preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Fred Priestman, and granddaughter, Sarah Smith.