In Memoriam: J. R. Smeed, 1929 – 2023

Please pray for the repose of the soul of J. R. Smeed, a generous benefactor and friend of Thomas Aquinas College, who passed away on October 13.

An entrepreneur who worked and lived throughout the world — from America’s Midwest to its West Coast to Canada and Africa — Mr. Smeed and his wife, Claire, were members of the Order of St. Albert, which honors those who support the College to an outstanding degree. Their business ventures took them into such diverse industries as cable television, life insurance, microwave technology, banking, newspapers, real estate, and automobiles. Over the decades, they were also passionate philanthropists, giving largely to political and legal organizations that defend Constitutional freedoms.

Mr. and Mrs. Smeed learned of the College in the early 1990s from their friend Tom Sullivan, the second chairman of the Board of Governors. As Mr. Smeed remembered it, one day Mr. Sullivan needed to get to the College in a hurry. “He mentioned, ‘Ah, gee, I’ve got to go back there — we’re having a real struggle. We’re trying to get reaccredited, and the powers that be want us to conform to what they want us to do. We’re fighting all by ourselves.’”

Mr. Sullivan was referring to the College’s historic clash with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. At a time when it was itself seeking reaccreditation, the College led a fight against the adoption of a new accreditation standard that threatened to dilute its classical curriculum. Although still young and unknown, the College resisted this effort, and was eventually able to enlist some of California’s leading private colleges and universities in the cause.

That skirmish — with the College playing the role of David against Goliath — caught the Smeeds’ attention and won their admiration. Despite not being Catholic themselves, they admired the College’s deeply held faith and commitment to its mission of Catholic liberal education. “Let me know what we can do,” Mr. Smeed told Mr. Sullivan.

Soon thereafter, the Smeeds became members of the President’s Council and visited the California campus regularly for graduations and the weekend-long Summer Seminars held for Council members. They even introduced friends and family members to the College, at times chartering buses to bring entire groups down from their home in Bakersfield.

As a small expression of its profound gratitude, the College inducted Mr. and Mrs. Smeed into the Order of St. Albert at Commencement 2009. Their names are engraved, alongside the names of the Order’s fellow members, on the pedestal of a statue of St. Albert just outside of Albertus Magnus Hall on the California campus. “The Smeeds were prominent benefactors of Thomas Aquinas College,” notes Mr. Smeed’s published obituary. “The College and its mission held a special place in his heart.”

Mr. Smeed passed away peacefully at the couple’s home in Bakersfield with Mrs. Smeed, as always, lovingly at his side. “Please join us in praying for the repose of J. R.’s soul, as well as for Claire’s consolation,” says President Paul J. O’Reilly. “We are grateful for such good friends, who have faithfully supported the College over many years, especially during tough times. May he rest in peace.”