Jack Gordon Smith passed away peacefully Aug. 23 at his home, surrounded by family and friends.

Jack was born July 8, 1929 in Ontario. At the age of 6, he moved to Harney County with his parents, Frank and Viola (Meyers) Smith. Jack attended elementary school at Harney (riding horseback every day), then on to high school at Crane, staying in the dorms during the week and returning home on weekends. He graduated from Crane at the age of 18.

Jack worked on the ranch for his parents until 1955 when he was inducted into the Army. In the meantime, Jack met and married Bonnie Elmose in 1952. When he was discharged from the Army in 1957, he and Bonnie continued to work on the family ranch for a short time until they obtained their own  property and began to build their own cattle herd. While they were building their herd, Jack worked for two years at Edward Hines Lumber Co.

Jack was an avid shooter and hunter. Over the years, he had the opportunity to compete nationally, winning many trophies and even setting the NRA National Rifle record for small bore 20 shots at 50 feet in February 1964 in Corvallis. He traveled to Camp Perry, Ohio, twice to compete. Once was for the Oregon state team and the other with an independent team.

Jack hunted elk and deer every year from the same camp (Pelkers) for 65 years. During his life, he had the opportunity to successfully hunt caribou in Alaska in 2010. He also went to Canada twice to successfully hunt moose, once in 2000 and again in 2008.

Jack was a member of the Bell-A grazing cooperative, having served several terms as a board member, Burns Elks Lodge No. 1680, and the NRA. He was named Grassman of the Year in 1983 by the Harney County Chamber of Commerce, and in 1988 was the Harney Soil and Water Conservation District Cooperator of the Year. Jack and Bonnie were life long supporters of the 4-H and FFA livestock auction supporting many of our local youth.

Jack is survived by wife of 67 years, Bonnie Smith of Burns.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Smith and Viola Smith; and half-brother, John E. Walker.

Graveside services were held Aug. 29 at the Burns Cemetery. Donations in Jack’s name may be made to the Harney County Hospice or to a charity of one’s choice.