Jerald Smith Obituary

Jerald Wilson Smith CHARLESTON - Jerald Wilson Smith passed away peacefully on August 3, 2025, in Charleston, South Carolina, after a long battle with dementia. He was born May 23, 1941, in Huntington, West Virginia, as the oldest son of Guy and Margaret Smith. Jerry excelled in high school sports as a student at Buffalo High School and was named All-State in Football, Basketball and Baseball in 1958 and 1959. His accomplishments as a catcher in baseball earned him the opportunity to be offered a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. He chose instead to pursue a degree in Education at Marshall University and also played Freshman Football and Basketball for The Thundering Herd, as well as Golf. While in college, he met the love of his life, Karen Vilvens, and the couple married in 1964. Jerry followed in his father's footsteps and enjoyed a teaching and coaching career in West Virginia, Ohio and later in Savannah, Georgia. He served as a Head Basketball Coach at Cardington High School-OH, Liberty Union High School-OH, South Point High School-OH, Fort Gay High School-WV and St. Michael's Catholic School-GA. He served as Head Baseball Coach and Head Track and Field Coach at Fort Gay High School. He also taught and served as an assistant football, basketball, baseball and track coach at various schools in West Virginia, Ohio and Georgia. Jerry was an accomplished golfer, outdoorsman and gardener for much of his life and a marksman with both a bow and arrow, as well as black powder and long distance target rifles. He and Karen cultivated a lifelong family love for summer travel and especially enjoyed Edisto Island in South Carolina and spent many family vacations there watching their family grow and enjoy the beach, while also fishing and camping. In 1990, Jerry and Karen moved to Wilmington Island in Savannah, Georgia, and worked briefly for Chatham County School District as teachers. After Karen's passing, Jerry moved to Thunderbolt, Georgia, and became active in the Thunderbolt Fishing Club where he excelled in trout and redfish fishing. His zest for outdoor life transitioned from the sea to the farm and he became an accomplished goat farmer in Pembroke, Georgia, and finally in Cottageville, South Carolina. He joined The Palmetto Gun Club in Ridgeville, South Carolina, in 2003 and participated in numerous shooting matches. In 2015, he relocated to Charleston and enjoyed spending time watching his grandchildren follow in his footsteps in the sports he loved, basketball and golf. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1695 Wallenberg Blvd., in Charleston, SC, at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 8, 2025. The family will receive friends and guests in the Church from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM after Mass. Jerry will be interred alongside Karen in Catholic Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, at 2:30 p.m. following Mass in Charleston. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; his father Guy H. Smith, his mother, Margaret D. Vass; step-father, Robert Vass, Sr.; and son, Guy F. Smith. He is survived by his daughter, Bridget Runyon (Lee); son, Kyle Smith; grandchildren, Margaret and Zachary Runyon; brother, Michael Smith (Kathy); nieces, Molly Miller (Christian), Betsy Champlin (Chris), Carrie Sun; and nephew, Matt Smith (Jenna). The family also wishes to thank the caring and compassionate staff members of Johns Island Post-Acute Care and Crescent Hospice for their tireless efforts to provide him comfort during his final years. Arrangements by James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC, (843) 766-1365. http://www.jamesamcalister.com