John T. Smyth, 77, of Greeley passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Arbor Care Center in Fullerton, with his brother and loving niece by his side.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley. Father Lawrence Vadakkan and Father Sidney Bruggeman will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the O’Connor Cemetery southeast of Greeley. Military Honors will be presented by Charles E. Martin American Legion Post #186. A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the church. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. by Deacon Paul Nordhues. Memorials are suggested to PWG Baseball or the Greeley Fire and Rescue Department’s Ambulance Fund.

T.J. Finn and Sons Funeral Home of Greeley is in charge of arrangements.

John Thomas Smyth was born December 21, 1946, at Spalding, to Thomas J. and Elizabeth A. (Rohan) Smyth. He was raised on the family farm near O’Connor, where he attended District No. 22 school and then graduated from Greeley Sacred Heart High School in 1966.

Following high school, he continued his education at Grand Island School of Business. John enlisted in the United States Army and served a tour of duty in South Korea. After his discharge in October of 1970, he worked at the St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island. His career took him to Scottsbluff with the Nebraska Selective Service; he was later transferred to Denver with the National Selective Service. In 1975, John began working as an auditor for Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. He worked out of Greeley, Ord, and, lastly, had the leisure of working from home; he retired in 2012.

John was an avid sports fan. In the sport of baseball, he was a player, coach, and umpire. He served as secretary and treasurer of the local PWG Legion baseball team from 2002 until 2021. He also was a member of State American Legion Athletic Committee from 2017 until August of 2021.

John never had time off. He kept scorebooks for the local high school football and basketball teams, dating back to Greeley High, Greeley/ Wolbach, Cedar Valley, and now Central Valley. In addition, he was the sports writer for the

Greeley Citizen for many years until his health declined and his nephew, Ed, took over, ensuring there would always be something in the sports column. John was honored as the Media Person of the Year by the Nebraska Coaches Association and was selected as the Extraordinary Person by the Grand Island Independent.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus—serving as Grand Knight and Financial Secretary—and Charles E. Martin American Legion Post #186.

Besides umping and coaching Legion baseball, John also enjoyed bowling, softball, and keeping stats for the local high school teams.

He spent time with his friends at the round table, and was a fan of the Cornhuskers, Yankees, and Broncos.

John treasured his family. His niece, Hannah; nephew, Ed; and great-niece, Brynnleigh held a special place in his heart. John’s face would glow when Brynnleigh would walk through the door to visit. He also enjoyed (most of the time) helping his brother, Jerry, prepare the fields for planting and working during harvest. His family will never forget when John left the auger open on the grain cart and spilled a half load of corn on the way to the bin.

John touched many lives throughout his seventy- seven years of life and he will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his brother and sister-inlaw, Gerald “Jerry” and Mickey Smyth; niece, Hannah Smyth; nephew, Ed Smyth; great-niece, Brynnleigh Nelson, all of Greeley; and his many friends and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a nephew, Michael Thomas Smyth; a special uncle, John L. “Hanger” Smyth; and three special friends, Paul Lammers, Cress Marco, and Don Liske.

The Phonograph-Herald | April 24, 2024