He was born on December 14, 1923 in Venice, Utah to Andrew and Laura Cowley Smith. The Smith’s eventually relocated to northern Utah in the Weber County, Roy area. Jack married his sweetheart Vaudis Reeves on April 19, 1943 just prior to his induction into the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served the United States military as a Top Gunner in the B-24 Liberator heavy bomber, flying a complete tour of duty during World War II. He was based in Italy in the 781st bombardment squadron in Pantanella.

Jack died on November 12, 2013, and is interred at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park in South Ogden, Utah.