The town of Garland is mourning the loss of longtime Commissioner Sanford Walter “S.J.” Smith Jr., who passed away Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, at the age of 81.
Born Aug. 4, 1944, Smith was a lifelong Garland resident who devoted more than four decades to public service within his hometown. Known for his quiet steadiness and commitment to his community, Smith’s impact on the town extended across generations.
For over 40 years, Smith served as a commissioner for the town of Garland, assisting in infrastructure improvements to public works, roads, buildings, and cemeteries. His leadership and work ethic were defining traits of his time in office. During his final town meeting in 2020, Smith reflected on his tenure, saying, “I appreciate being part of this town where I was born and raised. I also want to thank the residents, friends, and family that believed in me by voting for me to be a part of the decision-making for the greater good of our beloved town.”
His niece, Mary Smith, highlighted her uncle’s great and unrelenting work ethic. “He never stopped trying to do whatever needed to be done and doing for others,” she said. “My uncle had a heart of gold. If everyone had a heart like his, we wouldn’t have so many problems in the world. I wish everyone could see his work ethic and how much he did for people behind the scenes.”
Garland Mayor Austin Brown said Smith’s passing marks the loss of a cornerstone figure in the community.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Commissioner S.J. Smith,” Brown said. “His 40 years of dedicated service to the town of Garland leave a lasting legacy of leadership, integrity, and compassion. Commissioner Smith’s commitment to our community and the people he served will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Smith Jr. also shared words of remembrance, noting Smith’s enduring presence on the town board.
“S.J. was a dedicated and faithful member of the Garland town board for 30 years,” Smith said. “He will be missed by those that had the privilege of knowing him. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family as we remember his many years of service to the town of Garland.”
Beyond his civic service, Smith was also a founding member and longtime president of the South River Hunting Club of Garland, where he led for more than 40 years. Friends and family remember him as a man of humility and generosity who carried the same sense of duty into every part of his life.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Sanford Walter Smith Sr. and Mary Lee Bordeaux Smith, his wife, Alice, and three sisters. He is survived by his siblings Ellen Gray Smith Strickland, Charles Herman Smith, and Garry Wayne Smith, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who cherished his guidance and example.
Commissioner S.J. Smith’s lifetime of service leaves a permanent mark on Garland’s history — a reminder of what steadfast dedication and love for community can achieve.