Smith Makes Waves: A Look Back at His Impact

John Smith, a prominent figure in Maricopa’s agricultural history, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on September 1. He lived in The Villages at Rancho El Dorado and is survived by his wife Mary Lou, with whom he shared a 73-year marriage, alongside four sons—Jim, Jack, Matt, and Mark—daughter Lisa Balcer, 22 grandchildren, and 49 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Paul.

Smith was an instrumental force in the construction of the Rotary Pool, initiated in 1956, a direct response to tragic drownings of children in local farm canals. Partnering with fellow farmer Fred Enke, he donated 3½ acres on Casa Grande Highway for this vital community project, as noted by the Maricopa Historical Society.

Estimated at $50,000, the pool’s costs were significantly lowered thanks to volunteer labor from local Rotarians. “It was a really great thing for a little dirt town back in the day,” remarked his daughter, Lisa Balcer, highlighting the pool’s impact on the community.

Historic photographs capture John Smith in significant moments, including a 1957 gathering of the Maricopa Rotary Club during Stagecoach Days. In another enduring image, he is depicted with his son Jack and Fred Enke at their farm, illustrating his deep roots in the region’s agricultural legacy.