Ladder units from La Follette (left) and Williamsburg (right) honor former Fire Chief Ron Smith, Jr. along the funeral procession route to Douglas Cemetery.

JELLICO, TN (WLAF) – Though Ron Smith, Jr. was laid to rest Tuesday afternoon at Wooldridge, he leaves a legacy of service that lives on through firefighters and law enforcement officers. “Ron was an early mentor for me and offered lots of advice over the years,” said La Follette Fire Chief Jimmy Pack.

Smith passed away last Friday at his Rogerston Hollow home in Claiborne County.

There are fire departments today that exist due in large part to Smith; Clearfork and White Oak. Smith was not only a firefighter, he served as a Claiborne County deputy as well. According to Pack, Smith served stints as fire chief at both Clairfield and White Oak.

“He volunteered more than I think he ever worked for pay. You just don’t replace a man like Ron Smith,” added Pack. Pack recalls a time when Smith devoted three weekends to make repairs to a tanker truck for the White Oak Volunteer Fire Department. Pack noted “that converted log truck is still in use today as a tanker more than 30-years later.”

Smith, a Vietnam veteran, volunteered in Campbell and Claiborne counties. “No doubt both counties benefitted from Ron,” said Pack.

Calla Monroe “Ron” Smith, Jr. was 80-years old. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/21/2021-6AM)

One Reply to “Former Fire Chief Ron Smith laid to rest on Tuesday”

  1. I was one if Ron’s home health nurses. Loved this man. It was a honor to have known him. Loved his stories and love his family This is one who’s family become your family. Prayers continued for all.

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