Former pastor, superintendent calls retirement ‘a blessing’

Retirement isn’t a bad word; it’s a blessing, said the Rev. Jerry Jay Smith, a retired clergy member of the Southwest Texas Conference.
“There’s life after retirement,” said Smith, who now lives at Canyon Lake and is active at Canyon Lake UMC.
When Smith decided to retire in 1999 after 49 years of active ministry, he knew it would change his life. He had been assistant to the episcopal office for four years before retirement. He was San Antonio District superintendent and pastor of at least 13 congregations before that.
Smith began his ministry in the Central Texas Conference in 1950. He transferred to Southwest Texas in 1958. He served congregations in Austin, Bayside, Elgin, Pflugerville, Portland, San Antonio, San Marcos and Victoria.
Since his retirement, he’s taken advantage of the free time available. He gets to choose where he wants to serve; and he gets to spend more time with the family.
“It (retirement) happened sooner than I thought,” Smith said. “I retired at 65. It was the right time for me. If I could’ve served as a district superintendent for 15 years, I’d like that, too.
“I really love Canyon Lake. It’s home now. I’m still very active in the church. I try to stay busy, and I enjoy being part of the ministry.”
Smith serves on various boards and committees for Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio, the Southwestern University Alumni Council, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Canyon Lake UMC, the Southwest Texas Conference and Educational Opportunities Tours.
He volunteers his time to all these activities.
The 70-year-old pastor loves to sing. He’s in the choir at Canyon Lake UMC.
“I come from a family of singers,” Smith said. “I get a lot of joy when singing. My mom had me singing at 4 or 5.”
When he’s not singing, he’s bird watching. Smith said he loves nature.
He does woodworking, reads and watches sports. He spends time on his computer and keeps healthy by walking daily.
Smith was born in Pflugerville. His family moved to Corpus Christi. He was called into full-time ministry at 14 and graduated from Corpus Christi High School at 16.
“I always thought I’d become a lawyer because that’s what I wanted to do before the call,” Smith said.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown. He completed his theological studies at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology in Dallas.
“When I earned my bachelor’s degree, I was already married with a child,” he said. “I met my wife at Oak Park UMC, Corpus Christi.”
Smith and his wife, Betty, have three sons, Mark, Andy and Sam, and four grandchildren.
“My sons Andy and Sam are both in ministry,” Smith said. “Andy is a pastor in this conference, and Sam serves in the Episcopal Church.”
His other son, Mark, is a retired police officer who is active in his local church.
“All three of my sons are active in ministry,” he said.
For now, Smith will take life one day at a time, doing the things he enjoys and spending quality time with his family.
“I had a resolution for when I retired, and it was to keep active and involved, and that’s what I’m doing,” he said with a smile.
Former Staff Writer Julie A. Wiley and current Staff Writer Claudia M. Williams contributed to this story.