John David Smith, 89, of Minford, a longtime Portsmouth resident, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the SOMC Hospice Center with his children at his side. He was born on January 30, 1937, in New Boston, the son of the late William Marion and Mildred Darlene Bussey Smith.
John was a 1955 graduate of Portsmouth High School, and he had served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He retired after 20 years of service from USEC, where he was a Chemical Operator. He had previously worked for nearly ten years at the Offnere Street Ashland Oil Station.
On July 3, 1961, John Married Ida Mae (Smith) Smith, and the couple had enjoyed 39 years of marriage at the time of her death on June 6, 2001.
John was a member of Old Town Methodist Church and a 46-year member and past Master of the Aurora Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Portsmouth York Rite, Scottish Rite Valley of Cincinnati, past District Education Officer of the 7th Masonic District, the Ashland, KY El Hasa Shrine, and past Patron of Eastern Star. John was also a Kentucky Colonel.
Surviving are his children, James Richard Smith of Minford and Mary Lynn (Mark) Kuhl of Santa Clara, CA; six grandchildren, Jessica Nicole Smith, Jeremy Richard Smith, Hailee Ann Kuhl, Matthew Robert Kuhl, Heather Nicole Kuhl and Jacon Dylan Kuhl; a half-sister, Cheryl Sullivan of New Boston; and several nieces, nephews and their families.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a son, Robert William “Bill” Smith; and siblings, Helen Smith and Edward Smith.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, August 14, 2026, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Rev. Pete Shaffer officiating and interment in Memorial Burial Park.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 5 to 7 PM, and one hour prior to services on Friday.
Masonic Services will be conducted by the Aurora Masonic Lodge F & AM at 7 PM on Thursday.
Memorials in John’s name may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital at donate.shrinerschildrens.org, and SOMC Hospice, 2201-25th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662.
