Jeffrey Alan Smith

Jeffrey Alan Smith, 56, of DeFuniak Springs, FL, passed away at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Texas on Thursday, August 27, 2026. He was born at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, to Jerry Smith and Virginia Smith. Jeff was the third of three children and grew up in Choctaw Beach, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Smith and Virginia Smith. He is survived by his wife, Wendy Smith; his children, Mollie Vonderosten and husband Jesse, Joshua Smith, Chancy Whitfield and husband Tyler, and Lyndie Kelley and husband Zack; his sisters, Dawn Clark and husband Harvey, and Gina Smith; and his grandchildren, Averie, MiaLynn, Lake, and Jacie.

Jeff was found hanging at the fire department at a young age, and at 16 he started firefighting alongside his dad at Tri-Village Fire Department in his hometown of Choctaw Beach, FL. He stayed with Tri-Village until 2006. During those years, he formed countless friendships, many of which lasted a lifetime. Serving his community was something Jeff took great pride in, and the friendships and memories he made along the way remained an important part of his life. Jeff spent the 90s and early 2000s racing at Southern Raceway in Milton, FL, alongside his dad, Jerry Smith, and the rest of his family. He was a well-known and highly respected racer in the community. Jeff could drive the wheels off a race car, and with the help of his talented father, there was hardly anything they couldn’t fix. He won many races.

Jeff loved fishing in the Choctawhatchee Bay, and frying up mullet at the end of the day was one of his favorite ways to spend time with his family. He could be found wading waist-deep in the water on his days off. Jeff was a true jack-of-all-trades. He could fix just about anything and was the person you called whenever you were in need. He used his construction skills to help build houses in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. After working in construction, Jeff decided it was time to get back on the road. He began working for Indian River and remained there for more than 15 years. He received his million-mile mark in 2023 and drove countless hours to provide for his family.

Jeff was loved by many of his friends and coworkers and was dedicated to being the best driver he could be. He never met a stranger and loved making conversation with anyone he encountered. Jeff was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He made a lasting impact on everyone he encountered and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Jeff lived a life full of hard work, family, friendship, and adventure. He gave his time to his community, worked hard to provide for the people he loved, and never passed up an opportunity to fish, race, or strike up a conversation. He will be remembered not only for all that he did, but for the kind of man he was. His memory will live on in everyone fortunate enough to have known him.

The family will have a private service to honor Jeff’s memory on September 19, 2026.