Longtime public servant Judge John W. Smith will retire Friday, May 1, after more than 40 years' service to North Carolina's judiciary. On April 24, judicial officials, colleagues, family, and friends from around the state and nation gathered at the North Carolina Judicial Center in Raleigh to celebrate Judge Smith and his lifelong career.

The reception was themed "Smooth Sailing" to draw upon Judge Smith's hobby of sailing, to speak to the turbulent waters he has navigated during the recession, and to express sincerest best wishes from the judiciary for smooth sailing to him and his wife Harriet during their retirement years.

The celebration included remarks, awards, and presentations from both current and former judicial officials and colleagues from various parts of the judiciary.

"He has provided steady leadership during the most trying of times," said Chief Justice Mark Martin, who served as master of ceremonies. "Truly, he is a friend of the court."

"Judge Smith has served with integrity, with excellence, and with an unwavering commitment to law and justice," said previous past Chief Justice Sarah Parker, who appointed Judge Smith in 2009 as director of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC). "He has shepherded our courts through some of its worst times and has daily tackled each challenge with equanimity and an optimistic spirit, always with the people in the court system and the sacredness of the administration of justice as his uppermost consideration."

Awards and other recognitions included the following:

• Chief Justice Martin presented Judge Smith with the highest award for the Judicial Branch - the Amicus Curiae Award, meaning a true friend of the court.
• Chief Justice Martin presented, on behalf of the governor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
• Judge Osmond Smith made remarks on behalf of the Conference of Superior Court Judges.
• Judge Billy Hamby made remarks on behalf of the Association of District Court Judges.
• Clerk of Superior Court Archie Smith for the Association of Clerks of Superior Court.
• Executive Director Tom Maher for the Office of Indigent Defense Services.
• District Attorney Robert Evans for the Conference of District Attorneys.
• NCAOC Communications Director Sharon Gladwell presented a commemorative book.
• NCAOC Deputy Director McKinley Wooten presented the North Carolina flag that flew over the North Carolina Judicial Center.
• NCAOC Senior Deputy Director Jon Williams presented group gifts, including a four-foot-tall model of America's cup-winning Defender sailboat.

Many anecdotes and memories were reminisced, going back to the start of Judge Smith's career. From yesteryear to yesterday, many stories were shared and great memories relived.

Getting the call
Coming from the farms of Moore County to courthouses and judicial offices across North Carolina, Judge Smith has worked tirelessly and diligently as an assistant district attorney, private attorney, district attorney, district court judge, chief district court judge, special superior court judge, and most recently as director of the NCAOC. He will continue serving as an emergency superior court judge upon his retirement.

The moment of his 2009 appointment is clear in Judge Smith's memory: he was having his mobile phone serviced at a store in Wilmington when his phone rang. Looking down and seeing that the caller was Chief Justice Parker, he let the assistant know that he needed to take the call. He answered, accepted her appointment, and he has answered the call ever since.

He didn't lose a second of work time to finish out his work on the bench and to transition to his new appointment. He began working immediately in Raleigh, leaving his picturesque home on the greens near Wilmington and Wrightsville beaches. He quickly added to his years of experience with the judiciary by learning the many details about the Judicial Branch - its nearly 550 elected officials, component groups and parts, its budget, its budget priorities, and the NCAOC.

Leading in tough times
With years of making decisions on the bench, Judge Smith was confronted soon after becoming NCAOC director with decisions of a different magnitude. Decisions began immediately as soon as we began to experience the great recession with budget cuts occurring every year.

Chief Justice Martin and other judicial officials who at the reception recognized the tough job Judge Smith had during the most trying times the court system has faced. They all thanked him for his steady leadership over North Carolina's court system and navigating us through the turbulent years brought by the recession.

Highlights of an exceptional career

• Third longest-serving director of the NCAOC
• Member, North Carolina Judicial Council
• Held court in more than 80 counties as a superior court judge
• Past president, Association of District Court Judges
• Board member and past treasurer, Judicial Conference
• Board member, State Guardian ad Litem Program, Child Custody Mediation Program, and Equitable Distribution Mediation Subcommittee of the Dispute Resolution Commission
• Established the Family Court for New Hanover County
• Past president, New Hanover County Bar Association
• In his earlier career days, he was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, attached to the Staff Judge Advocate General's Criminal Defense Office at Fort Lee, Virginia
• In a general law practice partnership in Raleigh from 1972 - 74

"For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven," said Judge Smith. "It is with gratitude in my heart that I say thank you to every public official and every employee of the Judicial Branch. It has been an honor to work with you."

Judge Smith takes with him years of institutional knowledge and experience that are invaluable. He will be missed.