John Porter Smith

John Porter Smith, 80, of Hagerstown, MD passed from this life with loved ones at his side and entered the Kingdom of Heaven on December 30, 2025.

John built a big and beautiful family that he was most proud of, and is survived by: his loving wife of 60 years, Mildred Smith of Hagerstown, MD; children: John Smith of Hagerstown, MD; Christine Smith (Curt) of Keedysville, MD; and Christopher Smith (Blue) of Hagerstown, MD; grandchildren: Lauren Embrey (Jesse/deceased) of Richmond, VA; Tyler Smith (Kirstyn) of King George, VA; David Sykes of Huttonsville, WV; Cheyanne Smith of Hagerstown, MD; Madisen Lay (Marcus) of Columbia, MD; Jonathan and Nicholas Spangler of Keedysville, MD; and great-grandchildren: Elvis, Waleed, Jude, and Lisa Embrey of Richmond, VA; Kaesyn and Luella Jones, Atlas Lay of Columbia, MD; Lenora Smith of King George, VA. John is also survived by his sister, June (Smith) Flohr of Morgantown, WV; nephews, Alan Hess (Laura) of Morgantown, WV and George Smith (Amber) of Philippi, WV; nieces, Nancy (Hess) Wiese (Jon) of Hailey, ID, and Sandra Smith-Davis (Patrick) of Romines Mills, WV; as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews, relatives and friends.

John was the son of the late Edwin and Gertrude (Ross) Smith, preceded in death by brother, Roger Smith of Morgantown, WV; grandson Porter Lindsay of Keedysville, MD; and best friend of more than 60 years that he considered a brother, Ronald Lynch (Carol) of West Milford, WV.

John was born September 16, 1945, in Clarksburg, WV. He was raised on a farm, learned to hunt as a teenager, and hated to miss an opportunity to jump off the school bus for a swim in the lake. He met his sweetheart, Millie, in the summer of 1963, married in 1965, and started their family in 1968. John served in the US Army National Guard from 1965 to 1973 where he oversaw the armory; an honor of being named top marksman in the regiment, scoring above the 98th percentile. He taught Sunday school at Bible Baptist Temple in Stonewood, WV where he also drove the bus and his wife Millie served as the church secretary.

Upon relocating to Chantilly, VA, John leveraged his skills as a brick mason/foreman and stone mason to build and restore countless buildings, bridges, churches, archways, fireplaces and later, RFK Stadium. John believed in working hard and providing, and although he retired many years ago, he never fully stopped working.

John was a simple man. He was courageous until his last breath and his sense of humor, and unwavering charm ensured all who knew him, loved him. His love for his family and the joy it gave him to help anyone who needed it, even strangers, will live on in all of the memories we cherish and carry with us.

The family will receive friends at Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, Boonsboro, MD on January 12, 2026, for 10am visitation and 11am service officiated by Mr. James Willetts of Chestnut Grove Bible Church. John will be laid to rest at Rest Haven Cemetery, with private interment for the family.

In honor of John, memorial donations can be made to the Cancer Research Institute at www.cancerresearch.org or to help a stranger in need.