In Memory . . . Rev. Kenneth J. Smith (1917-2007)

It is with a deep sense of loss that the Ministry & Professional Leadership Staff Group informs you that the Reverend Kenneth Jackson Smith died Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at his retirement home in Penney Farms, Florida. He had recently celebrated his 90th birthday.

Mr. Smith was born January 29, 1917 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He received an A.B. from Wittenberg College in 1939, a B.D. from Meadville Theological School in 1949 and was a Cruft Fellow at the London School of Economics in 1950. In addition, he did Post-graduate work at New York University from 1961-1962 and was part of the Federated Theological Faculty at the University of Chicago.

He received Fellowship in 1949 and was ordained April 1, 1951 by the First Universalist Church of Duluth, Minnesota. Smith served congregations in Duluth, Minnesota; Garden City, New York; and Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Martha’s Vineyard named him Minister Emeritus in 1987 following his retirement. He served as interim minister in Corpus Christi, Texas from 1990-1991.

Smith was active in community and denominational affairs. His lifelong interest in promoting peace and equality led him to chair committees to further the efforts for racial equality in the 1960s while living in Philadelphia where he ministered to the Ethical Culture Society.

His niece, Susan DePass in California, survives him. In 1984 he married Ruth Luening who predeceased him. At his request there were no services.

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