John Michael Smythe of Mountain Home, Arkansas, passed away February 4, 2026, in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 80. He was born May 12, 1945, in Nashville, Tennessee, the son of Braxton and Ruth Jackson Smythe. He worked as a heavy duty mechanic/operator with the Operating Engineers Union since 1974. He married Anita Smythe on March 17, 1995, in Fairbanks, Alaska. He lived in Mountain Home since moving from Anchorage, Alaska in 2016. John enjoyed, racing cars, working on cars, riding his Harley-Davidson and spending time with family. He was a huge NASCAR fan and looked forward to watching the races every weekend.

John is survived by his wife, Anita Smythe of Mountain Home, AR; daughters, Dena Johnson of Murfreesboro, TN, and Meredith Jaxon of Olathe, KS; sons, Chris (Jene) Leaming of Mountain Home, AR, and Gary (Amelia) Leaming of Mountain Home, AR; sisters, Margaret Gentry of Cotton Town, TN, and Janie Parks of Cotton Town, TN; sister-in-law, Joyce Smythe of White House, TN; grandchildren, Sarah Johnson, Katie (Trey) Morrison, Rachel Johnson, William Monroe, Cheyla (Charger) Hopkins, Chris Leaming, Shane Leaming, Jaxon Leaming, Mason Leaming, Carson Leaming, and Maddison Leaming; great-grandchild, Sadie Morrison; nieces, Angie Russom, Amanda Greer, Andrea Parks; nephews, Joey Parks, and Duane Gentry; many great and great-great nieces and nephews; and his dogs, Queenie, and Princess.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bernard Smythe, and son, Kevin Smythe.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Humane Society of North Central Arkansas, the Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranch or Disabled American Veterans.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com.