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Ira Smith, Jr. was a devoted man of Christ dedicated to serving his community. While he was a business-driven man, he did not let that stop him from being a loving, caring family man. Ira’s cheerful disposition, good-natured personality, and distinctive laugh, recognizable across any room, always drew people to him.
Ira was born November 17, 1938, in San Antonio, TX to parents Ira Smith, Sr. and Wilma Phillips Smith. He accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Mount Zion First Baptist Church later in life under the leadership of Rev. Claude W. Black, Jr. Ira served in many capacities within the church - most notably as Deacon and Trustee.
He attended schools in the San Antonio Independent School District, graduating from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1956, then joined the United States Navy where he was stationed on the USS Hancock. After his military service, Ira returned to San Antonio, deciding to enter the workforce and further his education.
A graduate of St. Mary’s University, he retired from City Public Service (now CPS Energy) in June, 1998 after more than 33 years. He held a variety of leadership roles, including Director of Central Services, Director of Technical Services, and Director of Computer Services.
For more than 20 years, Ira served on a number of boards of directors and committees. He chaired the United Way of Texas Board of Trustees, and held leadership roles on several United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County panels. He was a past president of the San Antonio Chapter of 100 Black Men in America, and a member and past president of the Van Courtlandt Social Club.
Ira Smith also served as a trustee and past chair of the Bexar County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center, now known as the Center for Health Care Services. In addition, he was also chair of the Texas Council of Community Centers and named an Honorary Lifetime Board Member of that organization in 2016.
Along with chairmanship of the San Antonio Funding Information Center, he held leadership positions on both the Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital and Methodist Healthcare Ministries boards of directors. His service included membership on the Community Board for the Methodist and Metropolitan Hospitals. At the time of his death, Ira served as Vice Chairman of the University Health System Board of Directors.
Ira married Marvinette Martin in a small intimate ceremony officiated by Rev. Claude W. Black Jr. on November 11, 1965. They have 5 beautiful children: Charles, Marian, Sandra, Teddera, and Robert.
Ira was preceded in death by his parents: Wilma Phillips Hunter and Ira Smith, Sr., his brother, James A. Smith, and grandson Diontre’ Matthews.
Ira’s legacy continues through his loving wife of 56 years, Marvinette; 5 children: Charles F. Jones II (Martha), Marian L. Catacalos (George), Sandra A. Preyor-Johnson, Teddera D. Ibrahim, and Robert S. Smith; 5 grandchildren: Dominique Preyor-Johnson, Leidy James (Adam), Daniela Jones, Amarylis Matthews, Gavin Matthews; 6 great-grandchildren and a host of relatives, extended family and friends.
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