Dr. John 'Jack' Gilbert Smith

Dr. John ‘Jack’ Gilbert Smith, age 91, of Norman, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024.  Jack was born July 21, 1932, in Norman, to John and Daisy Smith.  As a Doctor of Chiropractic, he owned his own practice in Norman for over 52 years.  Jack loved his patients and loved helping them overcome their physical ailments.

Jack was a member of The Trails Golf Club, Unified Chiropractic Association, Rotary Club, and was President of the Norman Athletic Association.  He was an avid golfer and was proud of having made two holes-in-one.  He enjoyed music, dominos, crossword puzzles, playing games, spending time in the sun, watching OU sports and Oklahoma Thunder basketball.  Jack was an OU Football season ticket holder for over 40 years.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Daisy Smith; sister and brother-in-law, Mae and Pat Waters; grandson, Grayson Smith; and niece, Dale Tillery.  He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Gynonne Smith; his four children, Jackie Smith of Oklahoma City, Patrick Smith and his wife Kathy of Norman, Christopher Smith and his fiancée Kim Woford of Oklahoma City, Staci Sheldon and her husband Nathan of Norman; grandchildren, Austin Smith and his wife Darian, Caroline Hatfield and her husband Tyler, Sarah Baker and her husband Brandon, Steven Sheldon, Jaigi Middleton and her husband Cole, and Arsei Smith and her fiancé Dalton Mitchell; his sister-in-law, Cheryl Love; nieces, Pris Gilberto and her husband Paul, Katie Wheat and her husband Taylor; nephew, Justin Love; and six great grandchildren.

In his younger years, Jack played in a Dixie Land Band which helped him pay for college.  Although Jack never learned to read music, he played several instruments by ear.  Because he was such a versatile musician, he often played various instruments in the band, playing the instrument of the band member not able to attend. 

In the later stages of his life, Jack enjoyed watching all OU sports, but his primary love was watching the OU Football and Softball teams play.  He also loved attending a dinner group with his wife and friends called the “50’s”, a group of friends from Norman High.

One of Jack’s favorite activities was playing golf with his golfing buddies.  The guys - Dexter Blevins, Hartley Price, Lynn Foreman and Mac McGuckin enjoyed Jack’s antics and his sense of humor on the golf course for decades.  Often golf stories were secondary to the stories of the practical jokes that Jack would play on his buddies.  Jack was a jokester up until the end.  He had the nurses at the hospital laughing out loud.

While at OU, Jack was set up on a blind date and while on that date, he met the love of his life.  It was Gynonne’s first day on the OU campus when she met Jack.  Sparks flew and their 68 years together have produced to date four children, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and lots of laughs.

Jack and Gynonne vacationed in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico for many, many years.  Later, they brought kids and grandkids with them.  After one trip they were hooked, and from that time forward they never vacationed alone.  Jack loved sharing his favorite vacation spot with his family.

The family would like to give special thanks to all the wonderful caregivers that cared so well for Jack over the past few years - Mary Ann, Sissi, Rachel, Laney and Darlene.