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Every once in a great while, we have the good fortune to encounter individuals born of such goodness that it cannot help but “rub off” on others.  Such is the case with Mr. Ed Smoak of Columbia, South Carolina.  I had the pleasure of meeting and visiting many times with him at Joy’s Feed, as we often crossed paths when picking up feed.  He was always eager to hear of the latest “rescue,” and was quick to offer his encouragement and support.  His lifelong love of horses made him a true advocate of this organization’s mission.  It was only after his death, however, that I understood just how deeply committed he was.  On Friday morning, May 13, I received a call from Mr. Ed’s good friend, John Champey, telling me that Mr. Ed had passed away, and that it was his family’s wish that friends send memorials to S.C.A.R.E. in his honor.  Thus the “Ed Smoak Memorial Fund” was born, and will live on as a tribute to a very special gentleman.

“Mr. Ed” (as I knew him), grew up on a farm in Smoaks, SC, where his passion for horses began with a horse named “Ned” – his first horse. From that point forward, horses of many breeds, including Arabians, Paints, Palominos, Pintos and Tennessee Walkers were a part of his life from childhood through maturity, being interrupted only long enough to attend college, and serve his country.  His daughter, Robin relates that the running joke among family and friends was that “Heaven forbid something happen to one of them AND one of his horses at the same time, because everyone knew where he would be – at the farm, attending his horses!”

One of his favorite pastimes was trail riding with his friends at Joy’s Feed.  In his most recent years, he was unable to ride, but his friends and family made it possible for him to enjoy “one more trail ride” by arranging for a friend to drive him along in a cart while the rest rode on horseback.  The fact that he could no longer ride, never hindered him from visiting, loving, and enjoying the companionship of his horses though.  He was always handy with a bucket of treats, a tender touch, and kind words.

During his lifetime, he served in many positions of leadership, including a stint as Sgt. in the United States Army in the Occupation Forces of Japan at the end of WWII. After attending college at Wofford, and the University of South Carolina, where he received his BS degree in Business Administration, he became a Safety Engineer at Dupont at the Savannah River Project in Aiken.  After leaving the Savannah River Plant, he became a Loss Control Engineer, and later was associated with Edens-Turbeville Insurance Agency, where he became manager and co-owner in 1970.  He later went on to found Smoak Insurance Agency in 1983, where he remained chairman of the board until his death.  “Mr. Ed” served on various boards at the Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church; as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Greater Columbia, as well as president of the American Society of Safety Engineers. 

In April of 2001, “Mr. Ed” and his beloved companion, El Santo Del Mojave, affectionately known as “Mojo” were featured in the Southeast Equine Monthly, as  “Mojo” was the first Tennuvian registered in South Carolina (the result of crossing a Peruvian Paso with a Tennessee Walker).  I could not help but laugh at the story related in the article of Mr. Ed’s conversation with a Columbia telephone directory representative who questioned him as to who exactly lived at the Smoak Farm.  Mr. Ed easily replied, “That would be Mojo” – thus “Mojo” has his own listing in the Columbia telephone directory!

It is obvious to those who know his family, that he has managed to impart those character traits that made him such an outstanding person to his children and family, and they no doubt, will continue his legacy, as they have done here by directing memorials to S.C.A.R.E.  After some discussion, S.C.A.R.E’s Board of Directors decided that these funds should be represented by a tangible reminder of this man’s generosity, therefore, the funds donated by Mr. Ed’s family and friends (listed below) will be used to initiate the funding of a horse trailer, so desperately needed, for the organization.  I know that he is pleased in having a continued role in insuring the well-being, and safe transport of horses in South Carolina.  He will be sorely missed, and long remembered by all who knew and loved him.