John Norman Smith died Thursday, July 24, 2025, surrounded by his family in Huntsville, AL. He was a native Huntsvillian and attended Huntsville High School where he was an outstanding athlete, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was awarded many honors in his sporting career. He went on to play center for Mississippi State University and graduated from there in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Business and Industry.
In 1961 he married Bess Ford Smith, his wife of 56 years, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Vicksburg, MS and they returned to Huntsville to make their home. John wasn’t afraid of a challenge and worked in several different industries during his work career. The majority of his work was in the financial and insurance industry, but for a time he was a home builder and was very proud that he built our family home in downtown Huntsville. He loved spending time with family and friends as well as playing or watching any type of sport.
He was a lifelong member of the Church of the Nativity, Episcopal.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Lucille Vaughn Smith and Fred Buchanan Smith, his wife, Bess Ford Smith, as well as eight brothers and sisters. He is survived by his two children, John N. Smith Jr. (Tara) and Elizabeth M. Smith; his sister, Virginia McKinney; brother-in-law, Thomas Sparks Ford (Mel); as well as nieces and nephews.
The family will be receiving friends at Laughlin Service Funeral Home Saturday, August 2nd, starting at 1 p.m. with a memorial service at 2 p.m., and a family graveside service following at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Flowers may be given, or donations may be made to the Church of the Nativity, Episcopal, A New Leash on Life, or Huntsville Botanical Gardens.
