Highlands Co Citrus Leader Mason Smoak Dies in Plane Crash

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

Mason Smoak, Smoak Groves, Lake Placid FL We regret to pass on this information…News from Highlands County Citrus Growers’ Association’s Ray Royce late Friday June 20, who wrote: Mason Smoak
“…we lost a great father, husband and friend in Mason Smoak to an airplane crash in Lake Placid. Mason who was currently serving as both the President of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association and the Chairman of the Heartland Agricultural Coalition will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Tracee and their three children, as well as the rest of the Smoak family.”
Mason Smoak has been a guest on Southeast AgNet programming numerous times in his roles in industry leadership. This Listen To wmareport (1:20 mp3) will air on the radio network Tuesday, the day before Mason’s funeral services this week on Wednesday,June 25. You can see some of the earlier posts featuring Mason, and hear his comments by clicking here.
Mason’s obituary and information on memorial arrangements follow:
Mason G. Smoak, 33, lifelong resident of Lake Placid, passed away Friday, June 20, 2008. Mason lived a life dedicated to his Lord, wife, and children. Each day of his life was a gift that was lived to the fullest. A graduate of University of Florida, he was an owner and production manager of agricultural operations at his family business, Smoak Groves, Inc. During his accomplished life, he served the Lord as a faithful leader at Memorial United Methodist Church of Lake Placid. He served the community and agriculture as current President of Highlands County Citrus Growers, Chairman of the Heartland Agricultural Coalition, Board Member of Highlands County Habitat for Humanity, Past President of Highlands County Farm Bureau, and Past President of Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers. He was also a brother of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, serving as a director of the education foundation.

Mason is survived by his loving wife, Tracee P. Smoak, his sons, Mason Gabelein “Gabe” Smoak, Seth “Landon” Smoak, and daughter Lauren Elizabeth “Ellie” Smoak, devoted parents, Edward and Anne Smoak, all of Lake Placid, his loving brother, Edward Smoak, Jr., of College Grove, TN, and loving grandfather J.L. Chase of Lake Placid.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 24, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Memorial United Methodist Church, Lake Placid. A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at 10:00 AM at Memorial United Methodist Church, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lake Placid.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to the Mason G. Smoak Scholarship Fund at;
Heartland National Bank
600 US 27 North, Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863)699-1300
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