Beloved fiancé of Priscilla Elaine Apostol. Loving surrogate father of Heidi Baize. Dearest surrogate grandfather of Alyson and Elsa.
JR was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Vena Smith.
He graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) in the early 1960s - and retired after 40 years of teaching as a Professor Emeritus of Music, specializing in Low Brass (Tuba, Baritone, Trombone) at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti.
While at EMU, he also tutored students privately and taught music theory to music and non-music majors alike.
Outside of EMU, he was in demand playing Tuba with Detroit-area Big Bands, Circus Bands, Dixieland Bands and Civil War Reenactment Bands including "Your Father’s Mustache", "Red Garter," "Bimbo's," "The New McKinney Cotton Pickers", "Dodworth Saxhorn Band," and the "Johnny Knorr Orchestra."
Beyond his live performance and recording studio work, JR continued to demonstrate his superb musicianship by singing in barbershop quartets.
Although he never had children of his own, he become a loving member of a number of families, who appreciated his giving spirit, cheerful personality and humor.
JR was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Vena Smith.
He graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) in the early 1960s - and retired after 40 years of teaching as a Professor Emeritus of Music, specializing in Low Brass (Tuba, Baritone, Trombone) at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti.
While at EMU, he also tutored students privately and taught music theory to music and non-music majors alike.
Outside of EMU, he was in demand playing Tuba with Detroit-area Big Bands, Circus Bands, Dixieland Bands and Civil War Reenactment Bands including "Your Father’s Mustache", "Red Garter," "Bimbo's," "The New McKinney Cotton Pickers", "Dodworth Saxhorn Band," and the "Johnny Knorr Orchestra."
Beyond his live performance and recording studio work, JR continued to demonstrate his superb musicianship by singing in barbershop quartets.
Although he never had children of his own, he become a loving member of a number of families, who appreciated his giving spirit, cheerful personality and humor.
Beloved fiancé of Priscilla Elaine Apostol. Loving surrogate father of Heidi Baize. Dearest surrogate grandfather of Alyson and Elsa.
JR was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Vena Smith.
He graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) in the early 1960s - and retired after 40 years of teaching as a Professor Emeritus of Music, specializing in Low Brass (Tuba, Baritone, Trombone) at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti.
While at EMU, he also tutored students privately and taught music theory to music and non-music majors alike.
Outside of EMU, he was in demand playing Tuba with Detroit-area Big Bands, Circus Bands, Dixieland Bands and Civil War Reenactment Bands including "Your Father’s Mustache", "Red Garter," "Bimbo's," "The New McKinney Cotton Pickers", "Dodworth Saxhorn Band," and the "Johnny Knorr Orchestra."
Beyond his live performance and recording studio work, JR continued to demonstrate his superb musicianship by singing in barbershop quartets.
Although he never had children of his own, he become a loving member of a number of families, who appreciated his giving spirit, cheerful personality and humor.
JR was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Vena Smith.
He graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) in the early 1960s - and retired after 40 years of teaching as a Professor Emeritus of Music, specializing in Low Brass (Tuba, Baritone, Trombone) at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti.
While at EMU, he also tutored students privately and taught music theory to music and non-music majors alike.
Outside of EMU, he was in demand playing Tuba with Detroit-area Big Bands, Circus Bands, Dixieland Bands and Civil War Reenactment Bands including "Your Father’s Mustache", "Red Garter," "Bimbo's," "The New McKinney Cotton Pickers", "Dodworth Saxhorn Band," and the "Johnny Knorr Orchestra."
Beyond his live performance and recording studio work, JR continued to demonstrate his superb musicianship by singing in barbershop quartets.
Although he never had children of his own, he become a loving member of a number of families, who appreciated his giving spirit, cheerful personality and humor.
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