J. Hunter Smith, III
July 26, 1939 – June 5, 2025

J. Hunter Smith, III, age 85, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hunter was a son of the late Joseph Hunter Smith, II, and Audrey Greenwald Smith.

He proudly served his country in the United States Navy and later built a career in the telecommunications industry with BellSouth. A man of quiet strength and simple pleasures, Hunter moved to Vero Beach more than 40 years ago from West Virginia and became a cherished member of the community. He was a lifetime member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Vero Beach.

Hunter was an avid reader with a deep appreciation for history and storytelling. He especially enjoyed books about war history, classic Agatha Christie mysteries, and science fiction. He was also a lifelong sports enthusiast—Saturdays were dedicated to college football, and Sundays were reserved for watching the NFL. These passions brought him great joy and often sparked spirited conversations with friends and family.

He is survived by his loving children: daughter Sandra Smith Ross and her husband Jody; sons Joseph Smith and his wife Jill, and Jimmy Smith and his wife Rhonda, all of Vero Beach, and Jay Smith of Tennessee; his longtime companion, Debra Deacon; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. He will be remembered with deep love and admiration by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 3:30 PM at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Vero Beach.