Jackie L. Smith

Jackie L. Smith 72, of DeRidder, Louisiana passed from this life on Thursday, December 23, 2010 in DeRidder, Louisiana. Visitationn will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Myers Colonial Funeal Home in DeRidder, Louisiana. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at First United Methodist Church in DeRidder, Louisiana. Rev. Mike McLauren, Pastor of First United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Blue Branch Cemetery in Pitkin, Louisiana.

Jackie was born in Allen Parish, Louisiana, the only child of Earl and Irene (Durand) Smith of Pitkin.  He grew to adulthood in the Pitkin area, where he graduated from Fairview High School and wed Peggy Deason.  He attended McNeese State University, graduating with a BS in Agronomy. Jackie was a dedicated federal employee who worked for the Soil Conservation Service in Louisiana and the U.S. Army in the Panama Canal Zone and South Carolina, eventually retiring from Fort Polk, Louisiana with over 39 years of service. Freemasonry was a foundation of Jackie’s life.  He was a Master Mason and a Past Master of Pitkin Lodge #338 F.and A.M. and DeRidder Lodge #271 F.and A.M., as well as Past Patron, Pinehurst Chapter #33 Order of the Eastern Star. Jackie was a devoted member of the Scottish Rite (Valley of Lake Charles), the York Rite and the Shrine.  His membership included: Past High Priest, Hines Chapter # 54 Royal Arch Masons; Past Illustrious Master, Louis B. Frusha Council #32 Royal & Select Masters; Past Commander, Rhodes Commandry #17; Knight Crusader of the Cross; Order of the Silver Trowel; and KYCH, member of Louisiana Priory #43. He was Past President of the South West LA Shrine Club and a charter member of the Dune Dusters Unit. Jackie was privileged to serve as Potentate of the Habibi Temple in Lake Charles. He was also a member of the Lake Charles Court 178 ROJ and a member of the Cabiri.

Jackie is survived by his wife of 53 years, Peggy Deason Smith of DeRidder; daughter Phyllis and son-in-law Matthew Root of Temecula, CA; daughter Kimberly and son-in-law Stanley McDonald of Shreveport, LA; grandchildren Andrew and Caroline Root of Temecula, CA; and grandchildren Samuel, Sarah and Ian McDonald of Shreveport, LA. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Irene Smith of Pitkin, LA; and an infant son, Jack Walt.