John Clyde “J.C.” Smith, 79, of Clinton, MO, died Friday, April 2, 2021, peacefully at his
home.
Born October 11, 1941, in Clinton, MO, he was the son of the late Clyde Wilbur Smith
and Anna Marie Adair Smith.
J.C. grew up in Clinton and was a 1959 graduate of Clinton High School. He attended
Central Missouri State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
Business. He would go on to later serve on the advisory board at the school of business
for many years.
After graduation he moved back to Clinton where he started his career at B&L Electric
and spent all his working years with the company. He retired in 2009 but continued to
contribute to the company he helped build for many years after.
J.C. lived a life of service and was always thinking of others before himself. He cared
deeply for the youth of Clinton and spent countless hours helping so many. He was most
passionate about the Boy Scouts of America, Tribe of Mic-O-Say where he was the
Scoutmaster of Troop 430 for many years.
He was incredibly civic minded, volunteering and serving on boards for numerous
organizations in Clinton and surrounding areas. His impact on the community was truly
remarkable and will be forever cherished.
J.C. was a lifelong member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Clinton where he was
an usher.
He is survived by two nieces, Debbie Tucker and husband Brennan of Kansas City, MO
and Leslee McCabe and husband Dru of Parkville, MO; sister-in-law Donna Smith of Kansas City, MO; two great-
nephews, Kyle Smith and wife Lauren, and Braden Tucker, three great-nieces Dawson Tucker and Laney and Austen
McCabe and several cousins. He was blessed to have an amazing group of friends who
were like family.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Gary Stark Smith
and Robert (Duffer) Smith, and his longtime friend, Georgiana Bush.
May he rest in peace.
Condolence(1)-
Robb Lower says
April 3, 2021 at 10:32 amJ.C. Smith was such a beloved friend of mine (2nd father, grandfather, uncle, brother). When I was a young loud-mouthed 11 year old, he brought me into Troop 430 (along with my father), and guided me through my youth with friendship, kindness, and comedy. He always knew how to rib me and activate “loud-mouth” mode, and boy did I haha! He was there for me and all the kids around me. When a scout would go through a rough patch, he’d cry along with them, and he’d guide them back to a smile. When my best friend’s dad almost died in a car accident, JC was there as fast as lightning. In later years, my buddy would go on to say “it was like some sorta magic!”
J.C. was one of a kind, and a very VERY bright light in this often dark world. There are so many things I could share but I’m afraid this website could not contain them all. He bought my wife and I a grill for our wedding 15 years ago, the BIGGEST and best gift we were given! He was my very first customer in my business and even made sure to have a photo of us taken together on my first day, frame it, and frame the bill he paid me with. This man was so near & dear to my heart, and absolutely thousands upon thousands of others will feel the same as I.
He was also inspiring! So many have discovered greatness because of this man’s guidance, people would have completely different lives without him being in them.. Again, I could go on for hours but I won’t.
J.C., I love you and I thank you and I will never EVER forget you. I will miss you for so long as I live, my Scout Master.
-Son of Buffalo Shadow Dancer