Jay Dean Smith

Jay Dean Smith, age 67, of Sherwood, Ohio, died at 10:30 P.M. on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice near Defiance, where he was a patient. Mr. Smith was a fabricator, employed by Leader Engineering and Fabrication in Napoleon until his retirement. He spent many years racing cars, beginning at the age of 14. He raced car, including late models, sprints, modifieds and super modifieds. He drove ARCA and over the years raced at tracks including Bryan, Toledo, Angola, Baer Field, Butler, Hartford, Illiana, Winchester, Heidelburg, Pennsylvania, New Bremen and Sandusky. He won the track championship at Bryan in 1963 in a 1947 Ford coupe nicknamed “The Cam Buster.” He retired from the sport in 1982. In the last few years he had raced in Old Timer races and Vintage races. He was also a member of the pit crew and was a spotter for Todd Forbes Racing for many years and was a UMP race official for many years. Jay Dean Smith was born on March 5, 1943, in Defiance, Ohio, the son of George O. and Eva (Moog) Smith. He married Marcia J. Ramer on May 5, 2001, in Melbern, Ohio, and she survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Lezlie (Scott) Lantow, and two sons, Jay (Tammy) Smith and Shane (Misty) Smith, all of Bryan, Ohio, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are four brothers, Al (Marilyn) Smith, of Chicago, Illinois, Jim (Karen) Smith, of Avilla, Indiana, Anthony (Betty) Smith, of Bryan and Rex (Ella) Smith, of Montpelier, Ohio, a sister, Georgia Ann Patterson, and a sister-in-law, Kay Smith, both of Stryker, Ohio. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Renae Smith, on July 24, 2010, a brother, Jerry Smith, and his parents. A reception celebrating the life of Jay Dean Smith will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2010, from 2:00-7:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio. Memorials may be given to Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice.