Jay Steven Smith

Jay Steven Smith was born on May 18, 1965, in Fostoria, Ohio. He passed away on August 15, 2022. He was living in Toledo, Ohio, for the past couple months, to focus on his health. Jay was the director of the South Dakota Historical Society and Museum, until November of 2021. He spent 30 plus years preserving history. His crowning achievement was laying the groundwork for founding the only salt mine and museum in the United States accessible to tourists in Hutchinson, Kansas.

He grew up in Bowling Green, Ohio, a city he loved his entire life. Jay graduated in 1983, from Bowling Green High School. Jay attended The University of Cincinnati on a cross country scholarship, furthering his education at Bowling Green State University, where he earned a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree. He also attended the University of Cincinnati on a cross country scholarship. He held an internship at the Rutherford B. Hayes Center and Fort Meigs State Memorial.

Jay spent most of his college school years working at Paglai's and Myles Pizza in Bowling Green.

Jay is survived by his mother, Linda Connolly; step-father, William Connolly; brother, Jed "TJ" (Kristen) Smith; step-sister, Erin (John) Garbarino; step-brother, Devin (Erin) Connolly; nephews, Ronan, Sean, Aiden; and niece, Julia.

Family and friends may visit at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 West Laskey Road, Toledo, Ohio, 43623, on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 12:00 pm until the time of his memorial service at 3:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to your Local Historical Society.

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