John Penny Smith - Obituary

ohn Penny Smith, of Edgewater, MD, was born on September 24, 1943, and passed away peacefully on September 8, 2022, at 78 years of age. John had been ill for several months and was a resident at the Country House in Cumberland, MD at the time of his passing. John was born in Atlanta, GA to the late Velpoe and Elizabeth (Penny) Smith, of Annapolis, MD. He graduated from Annapolis High School, and the University of Maryland College Park with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also served in the Army as a reservist. John was a person dedicated to taking care of his family and friends, whatever was needed. He is survived by his son, Matthew V. Smith and wife, Virginia; his brother, Andrew V. Smith; his son-in-law, Paul Tickle; three grandchildren, Sutton, J.P., and Molly; and his nieces and nephews, Jessica, Amanda, Penny, Adrianne, Benjamin, Renee, Cheryl, and Theodore. John was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Smith Tickle; and two siblings, Bryant Smith and Mettie (Toots) Smith Henry. John loved spending time on his boat and plying the waters of the Chesapeake for stripers. He did not like sailboats but would forgive you if you owned one. His favorite places to spend time were Hatteras, NC and the cabin in WV. He loved off-roading on the beach and in the mountains. He loved to research and talk about his next “big purchase” …whatever that may have been, i.e., truck, boat, project car, tires, etc. He was a backyard mechanic and always had a project car that he was working on. John had a strong work ethic and valued hard work and honesty. For the bulk of his career, he owned and operated a construction company and built highway bridges and roadways. He was known to review a set of bridge plans and memorize the specifications. His employees were loyal, and many worked for him their entire lives. Family and friends are invited to celebrate John’s life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Saturday, September 17 beginning at 9 am, followed by John’s funeral service at 10 am in the funeral home’s chapel. Interment will be at Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville, MD. Online condolences may be offered at: KalasFuneralHomes.com