John "Jack" William Smith, Piedmont, died Sunday, July 26, 2009, at his residence in Piedmont.

Rosary services will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2009, at the Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church in Piedmont.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2009, at the Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church in Piedmont with Monsignor William O'Connell officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Des Moines, IA.

Jack was born on a ferry boat in the middle of the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa. He graduated from high school in Des Moines, IA, and attended college in Iowa City. He worked several years in New Orleans, LA, and moved to the Black Hills in the mid 60's. He owned and operated beauty salons in Spearfish and Rapid City. He also fixed the hair of the ladies that worked the houses in Deadwood.

He and his longtime companion, Richard Stoll operated the Stage Barn Crystal Cave until Richard's death in 2003. For many years, Jack wintered and worked in El Paso, TX, where Richard taught. Jack graduated from Western Dakota Vo-Tech with a degree in Phlebotomy in 1999. He worked for a time at United Blood Services until a work related accident forced him into an early retirement.

Jack had a life long interest in the Plains Indian Culture. He was considered by many an authority on the pre reservation life. He was an artist at recreating the material culture of the pre reservation era, which included beading, quillwork, clothing, and artifacts. He was recognized for his work on the set of Dances with Wolves.

Survivors include many friends across the United States and the world who shared the same interests, as well as many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and one sister.

Jack agreed life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty, well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, "Wow, what a ride!"