Jake Smith, Jr.

Jake (Sonny) Smith, Jr., 75, passed away February 21, 2013, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

He was born in 1937 in the Armourdale neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas. Jake graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1955. Following high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Jake worked at Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. for over 32 years before retiring in 1991. He ultimately became an engineer and handled many large telecommunications projects in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Throughout his life he was always using his hands, whether drawing blueprints, doing home renovations or rebuilding cars. In his early retirement years, he enjoyed his 1978 Chevy El Camino's, barbecuing with his Big Green Egg, cooking, painting, and swinging on his porch swing with a pug on each side.

Jake is preceded in death by his father, Jake Smith, and his mother, Ruby DeWeese. He leaves behind three children, Diana Diaz, David Smith, and Darlene Smith; his sister, Chardell Lynnes husband Roy; grandchildren, John Diaz, Joseph Diaz, Morgan Diaz, Summer Smith and Saylor Smith; great grandchildren, Gabriel and Gwendolyn Diaz; and many nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by his beloved pugs, Niles and Maggie.

Jake's family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Shawnee Mission Medical Center for their heartfelt care.

Visitation will be held 3:00-5:00 p.m., Sunday, February 24, 2013, at Amos Family Funeral Home. A private burial with full military honors will be held at Leavenworth National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Kansas City Hospice, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64114.