West-Mark’s Jack Harold Smith, the last surviving founder of the company, died Aug. 24 at his home in Modesto CA.
He was 95 years old.
“We, the entire West-Mark family, along with our partners (customers and vendors) wish the Smith family all our very best during this difficult time,” Scott Vincent, West-Mark’s CEO, said. “We all were so fortunate to have had Jack as a leader and friend.
“Jack was truly a kind soul. May he rest in peace.”
Smith, born July 15, 1925, and two friends, including Art Nunes, started what became the cargo tank and trailer manufacturer in 1967, when they opened a tank repair shop. The friends repaired all types of tankers and sold other manufacturer’s new tankers, but they soon started building their own tanks, and later adopted the West-Mark name.
Smith and his partners in 1969 purchased land in Ceres CA, where the headquarters remain today. With Smith as the driving force, West-Mark grew and expanded in the early 2000s, adding a manufacturing plant in Atwater CA, and repair shops in Bakersfield CA and Fairbanks AK.
Now, after more than 50 years in business, West-Mark is a major manufacturer all types of stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers and equipment. The company boasts more than 230 team members and five locations in California and Alaska.
Smith was preceded in death by wife Ellen Rose Growden Smith
He is survived by their five children: Jackellen (Zamora) Hakes of Modesto CA, Susan (Inderbitzen) Hurst of Nashville TN, Jill (Hamilton) Hartmann of Ukiah CA, Jeri Gilley of Modesto, and Grant Smith (Holly) of Ripon CA. Smith also leaves behind eight grandchildren.
A viewing was held Aug. 31 at the Franklin & Downs Funeral Home in Modesto. A graveside funeral service was held at high noon on Sept. 1 at the Scenic Catholic Cemetery.
“Jack was admired and respected by all in the industry for his honesty, straight-forwardness and integrity,” the company said. “He will be sorely missed by the family, friends, community and industry he leaves behind.
“God Bless Jack Harold Smith.”
