Max Wyandt Smith Jr.

Leave a message of condolence

 

Visitation:
*PLEASE NOTE DATE OF SERVICE*
Saturday, August 29, 2026
1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
First Evangelical Lutheran Church
Plymouth, Ohio

Service:
*PLEASE NOTE DATE OF SERVICE*
Saturday, August 29, 2026
2:00 p.m.
First Evangelical Lutheran Church
Plymouth, Ohio

Max Wyandt Smith, Jr., age 83, resident of Manfield, Ohio passed away on August 15, 2026. Born in Shelby, Ohio to the late Max W. Smith, Sr., and Cleta J. (Lasch) Smith.  Upon retirement, he wintered in Mission, Texas for many years.

Max graduated from Plymouth High School in 1960 at 17. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1963 advancing to Electronics Technician Second Class (ETN2) on the U.S.S. Earle B. Hall, which operated in support of the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Max next attended Kent State University, graduating in 1968. For much of his career, he taught generations of industrial arts students at the Ashland Jr. High School, retiring in 1994.

Max was a long-time, devoted member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Mansfield, First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Ohio, and Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in McAllen, Texas. He was an avid square dancer for over 40 years, dancing with the Clover Leaf Square Dancers in Shelby, Ohio, remaining a constant presence at square and round dances throughout the Valley in Texas, and attending the National Square Dance Convention annually, where he also served on organizing committees. Max was a jack of all trades and master of… most. With a generous heart he helped anyone in need — whether it was building something new or fixing what was broken.  Life-time hobbies included: vegetable gardening, photography, voracious reading of science fiction books, vintage collector and reseller, and coin collecting.

Max is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Anne Smith and son-in-law Adam I. Cohen of Olney, MD, and Catherine Joan Smith of Chicago, IL; his grandchildren, Ethan Max and Rachel Sophia Smith-Cohen; and his loyal Labrador Retriever, Shadow. He is also survived by three siblings: Susan (Tim) Redden, Ellen (Scottie) Smith, and Thomas (Sharon) Smith.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 29th at 2:00 p.m. at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Plymouth, with Rev. Jeremy Lambert officiating, preceded by a calling hour from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the church, and followed by a Military Honors Ceremony at Greenlawn Cemetery in Plymouth and a reception at the church, to which all are welcome; memorial contributions may be made to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Plymouth, and online condolences may be shared at www.Secorfuneralhomes.com.

Condolences

Mike DeWitt - Aug 20, 2026
Sorry for your loss, Max was a classmate in Plymouth.
Agathe - Aug 20, 2026
Max welcomed me 35 years ago when I was an exchange student, and I still have great memories of my time with him. He will always stay in my thoughts and prayers. I send my deepest condolences to Elizabeth, Catherine, and the whole family. I am thinking of you during this difficult time. Love,
Myra Brinson Miller - Aug 20, 2026
Sorry for your loss.