J. C. "Doc" Smith

J. C. Doc Smith, age 87, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Monday, February 15, 2010, at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa. He was born on Thursday, July 13, 1922, in Mapleton, Kansas. He was the son of H. E. and Ruth (Clarke) Smith. He was a resident of Ottawa since 1958, moving from Manhattan, Kansas, where he had lived since 1955. He was raised in Mapleton, Kansas, also residing in Minot, North Dakota; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Champaign, Illinois. Smitty graduated from Blue Mound High School with the class of 1940. He then graduated from Ft. Scott Junior College with a pre-veterinary degree. In 1945, he graduated from Kansas State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree. He later received his Masters of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of Illinois in 1955. Following his military service in the late 1940’s, he practiced Veterinary Medicine at Minot, North Dakota, and later at Tulsa, Oklahoma, returning to his hometown of Mapleton, where he was a Veterinarian and a farmer for six years. In 1954, he taught at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois, moving to a teaching position at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1955 until 1958. In 1958, he went into business with Dr. William H. Hay in a veterinary clinic in Ottawa. From 1968 until his retirement in 2003, he owned and operated Ottawa Veterinary Hospital in Ottawa, Kansas. Doc served in the United States Army in the late 1940’s, stationed in New York City for two years on the Brooklyn waterfront inspecting meat to be shipped overseas. He was a member of Kansas Veterinary Medical Association; American Veterinary Medical Association; and Xenia Lodge, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Xenia, Kansas. On December 29, 1955, Doc was united in marriage with Joanne Bond in Champaign, Illinois. She survives of their home. He is survived by his: Wife-Joanne Smith of their home; Son-Dr. Ed Smith and his wife, Kelly, of Ottawa, Kansas; Daughter-Cathy Pope and her husband, Dean, of Paola, Kansas; Son-Tim Smith and his wife, Bev, of Paola, Kansas; Daughter-Sue Angermayer and her husband, Steve, of Pittsburg, Kansas; Sister-Mary L. Smith of Ottawa, Kansas; Eight Grandchildren-Dr. Adam Smith and his wife, Ali; Caitlin Smith; Amanda Pope; Kyle Pope; Tana Smith; Taylor Smith; Cole Angermayer; Lauren Angermayer. One Great-Grandchild. He is preceded in death by his: Father-H. E. Smith; Mother-Ruth (Clarke) Smith; Brother-James W. Smith. SERVICES: Graveside Services will be held at Mapleton Cemetery in Mapleton, Kansas at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 19, 2010. IN STATE: Doc Smith will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday at Dengel & Son Mortuary, where the family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Thursday evening. CEMETERY: Mapleton Cemetery in Mapleton, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Richmond Care Center Alzheimer’s Unit, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.