Dr. William Jack Smodic, 90, died peacefully Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, at Trinity Grove Heath and Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington, N.C., following a brief illness.
He was born Feb. 27, 1927, in Gates, Pa., to Mary Krall and Joseph Smodic. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Smodic; and daughter-in-law, Carol Smodic.
He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Evelyn Nancy Allamon Smodic; three sons, William (Kim) Smodic of Raleigh, N.C., Daniel Smodic of Portage, Mich., and Robert (Nola) Smodic of Nashville, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Danny, Michelle, Mike, Jack, Tom and Grant; and one great-grandchild, Evelyn.
Dr. Smodic was a 1945 graduate of German Township High School, McClellandtown, Pa. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and lettered three years in varsity football and four years in varsity baseball. After Pittsburgh, he played professional baseball in the Boston Red Sox farm system. He was later drafted and served his country in the Korean War.
He began his professional educational career as a teacher and guidance counselor in East Bethlehem Schools in Fredericktown, Pa. He coached junior high football and basketball and varsity basketball and baseball.
In 1962, he was awarded his Doctorate of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his dissertation and authored and book titled “The Law and After-Hours Use of School Facilities,” which was sold nationwide. He taught public school finance and school law in the Graduate School at University of Pittsburgh, School Law at Scranton University and Wilkes College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Dr. Smodic served as superintendent of schools at Connellsville Area Schools in Connellsville, Pa., Wyoming Valley West Schools in Kingston, Pa., Crestwood Schools in Mountain Top, Pa., and Uniontown Area Schools in Uniontown, Pa. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) in 1975. He also served as curriculum director in the Port View Liberty Schools in McKeesport, Pa.
An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of Echo Farms Golf and Country Club in Wilmington, N.C., and enjoyed playing golf with his three sons and senior golf buddies. He also enjoyed spending time with family, reading and listening to classical music.
A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 19, at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Services, 3915 Oleander Drive, Wilmington. The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be private.
The Smodic family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at Trinity Grove Health and Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington for their attentiveness and loving care.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Mark Catholic Church, 1011 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Share online condolences with the family at coblewardsmithwilmington.com.
