Smith funeral at 3 p.m. in Alexandria
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ALEXANDRIA — Funeral services will be held today at 3 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church today in Alexandria for Joe D. Smith Jr., the former general manager, president, publisher and chairman of the board of The Town Talk. Smith died suddenly Thursday. He was 85.
Smith, of Alexandria, retired from The Town Talk in March 1996 after a 50-year career with the newspaper. He joined The Town Talk in April 1946 after graduating from Louisiana College and completing service in the Army Air Forces during World War II.
The cause of death was not disclosed.
A funeral service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday at St. James Episcopal Church, with arrangements by Kramer Funeral Home.
Tom J. Hardin, who became publisher of the paper after Smith retired, described Smith as “proactive in everything he got involved in” and a “very articulate speaker and organized to the Nth degree.”
“He was not only a wonderful boss but a dear, dear friend,” Hardin said. “He was one of my closest associates — even though he was married to my cousin.”
Ed Humphrey, the current president and publisher of The Town Talk, said the entire organization is saddened by Smith’s passing.
“The Town Talk just celebrated its 125th birthday on Monday, and we marked the occasion with a birthday cake for employees and retirees in the coffee shop, a tradition Joe presided over for many years,” Humphrey said.
“In my brief time here, I enjoyed visiting with Joe, and I was always impressed with his business knowledge and experience. He was a leader, not just in the newspaper industry, but in helping build the local business economy. His vision and dedication for this community will be sadly missed.”
Smith served on the Louisiana Board of Regents and received an honorary doctorate from LSU to recognize his service to the university. He also served as chairman and president of the American Newspaper Publishers Association, led the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association and was on the board of The Associated Press for a number of years, Hardin said.
In addition, he served on the board of Guaranty Bank, which later became Hibernia National Bank, and was a big supporter of his alma mater and a past president of the area’s Chamber of Commerce.
Businessman Rod Noles said he admired Smith, describing him as a man who was “caring, had charm and charisma.”
Arrangements are being handled by Kramer Funeral Home.
