John Alan "Jack" Brocksmith

  John Alan “Jack” Brocksmith, 87, was born on November 29, 1938, in Dayton, Ohio, to Frank Otto Brocksmith and Lois Kathryn Kinney Brocksmith. Being a loving and giving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were Jack’s greatest accomplishments. He was immensely proud of his family and showed it in countless ways throughout his life.

    Jack grew up in Dayton and Columbus, Ohio, before moving to Atlanta, where he graduated from Northside High School. Following graduation, he joined the United States Army, serving his country proudly for two years, followed by six years in the Army Reserves. After his military service, Jack attended Florida State University, where he was one of the first men to graduate in 1962 from the School of Home Economics, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Clothing and Textile Merchandising.

    While in college, he was an accomplished track athlete, holding the school record in the 880 and winning numerous awards. His love of running continued throughout his life, including competing with the Atlanta Track Club’s Master’s events and completing the Peachtree Road Race at least 25 times.

    Jack loved the Lord, and was a devoted parishioner of Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross, where he was involved with several ministries including serving on the Vestry, working with Rainbow Village’s golf tournament, being a Eucharistic Minister, and chairing the Memorial Committee for many years.

    Jack began his career with Maas Brothers in Tampa, Fla., where he applied his degree, though he soon realized he preferred a more active and independent path. He went on to work in sales and marketing for Johnson and Johnson and other companies before launching his own business as a manufacturer representative in the sporting goods industry. Through hard work and determination, he grew his company, Sports Sales South, from a one-man operation into a thriving organization with 18 sales representatives, representing major brands including Head, Prince, and New Balance. Never one to shy away from a challenge; Jack later purchased a struggling license plate company, Tag Express.

    Under his leadership, the business expanded from a handful of college licenses to partnerships with more than 100 colleges and universities, as well as professional leagues including MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and the NFL. He also secured one of the few Olympic licenses for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. His entrepreneurial spirit and success led Tag Express to be ranked No 59 on the Inc. 500 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in 1993. Known for his flair, Jack once displayed a Dodge Viper in his trade show booth at the Atlanta Super Show, making it the talk of the event.

    After selling Tag Express, Jack remained an active entrepreneur, partnering in German Motor Tech, an auto sales and repair business, and later a major car dealership. He enjoyed selling collectibles on eBay and even tried his hand at house flipping. A passionate collector, Jack amassed more than 5,000 items featuring the Disney character Goofy, whom he considered his alter ego. Jack was a long-time member of the Atlanta Athletic Club where he enjoyed tennis, golf, and most recently working out almost every day at the Athletic Center to stave off the effects of the Parkinson's disease he had. He joined the club in 1969, and made many friends over the years...especially while a member of the Duffers, a special group of men whose concentration is more on friendship than their golfing ability! Jack was very proud to be inducted into the AAC Hall of Fame for all his running accomplishments over the years.

    He was preceded in death by his son, William Jason Brocksmith, and his former wife, Connie Collier, the mother of four of his children. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Carol Reiffenstein Brocksmith; his sister Joyce Brocksmith, Brea, Calif.; his children, John Brocksmith Jr. (Tina) of Suwanee; Leslie Brocksmith Newman of Fort Myers, Fla.; Amy Brocksmith Young (Mike) of Ventura, Calif.; and Sarah Margaret Bahami (Ilyass). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lauren Slocum (Kevin), Kurt Newman, Jordan Bracco (Justin), John Alan Brocksmith III, and Jackson, Cooper, and Carter Young; and his great-grandchildren, Leo Newman, Declan and Landyn Bracco, and Lucy Slocum.

    A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on March 28 at Christ Church Episcopal. 400 Holcomb Bridge Road, Norcross.

    In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Christ Church Choir Fund or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.