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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE GERALD CLARENCE SMOAK AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened by the passing of the Honorable Gerald Clarence Smoak on Friday, December 7, 2018, at the venerable age of eighty-eight; and
Whereas, born on September 18, 1930 in Canadys, he was the son of the late William Moses and Hettie Bailey Smoak. Judge Smoak was a 1947 graduate of Walterboro High School and received a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in 1951. From 1951 until 1953, he served in the United States Air Force and in 1956 he received his juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina; and
Whereas, Judge Smoak began the practice of law in Walterboro in 1956. During his legal career, he served as assistant solicitor for the 14th Judicial Circuit and also was an attorney for Colleton County for eighteen years; and
Whereas, from 1971 until 1972, he honorably served in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Judge Smoak remained in private practice until his election as a Circuit Court Judge for the 14th Judicial Circuit in May 1991 and was on the bench until his retirement in 2002; and
Whereas, from 2010 to 2013, he returned to a judicial role as judge of the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Drug Court. Upon his retirement from the bench, he returned to the private practice of law until his death; and
Whereas, during his sixty-two-year legal career, Judge Smoak served his profession and community in many capacities, as a part of various committees of the South Carolina Bar, as a founding member of the John C. Calhoun Academy School Board, and as a member of the Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative Board. He also was a member of the Walterboro Jaycees and the Walterboro Rotary Club. In 1997, Judge Smoak was the recipient of the Trial Lawyer Honoree Award; and
Whereas, in addition, Judge Smoak generously offered his esteemed counsel and assistance to generations of his own family and fellow South Carolinians, especially those who lived in the Lowcountry. He loved and trusted in the rule of law, as evidenced by his continuing to practice law until his passing; and
Whereas, preceded in death by his parents and twelve siblings, Judge Smoak is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Peggy; his children, the Honorable Gerald C. Smoak, Jr. (Beth), Deborah Williamson (Melvin), Phyllis Utsey (Bud), Tara Snyder (Lance), Todd Hudson (Denise), and Ashley Hudson-Scott (Jeff); ten grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives, friends, and colleagues; and
Whereas, the people of South Carolina were made better by the influence of Judge Smoak and will greatly miss his impactful presence. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution,
express profound sorrow upon the passing of the Honorable Gerald Clarence Smoak and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Peggy Smoak.
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