Obituary: Jack Landman Goldsmith

Jack Landman Goldsmith, 102, of Longboat Key, died March 1.

Born in Memphis, Tenn., Mr. Goldsmith attended Culver Military Academy for high school, followed by Washington University and New York University for college. He later received a law degree from Memphis State College, now the University of Memphis.

Mr. Goldsmith served in the 81st Division of the United States Reserves from 1931 to 1941 and in the War Department from 1942 to 1945. He retired from military service as a major in the U.S. Army. Throughout the 1950s, Mr. Goldsmith served in U.S. Trade Missions to Greece and Austria. He was also a delegate to the Tennessee Constitutional Convention in 1953.

Mr. Goldsmith was the longtime president and CEO of Goldsmith’s Department Stores, which his grandfather and great-uncle founded in 1870 in Memphis. He retired in 1967 and moved to Longboat Key.

Mr. Goldsmith was a founder of the Goldsmith Civic Garden Center; a director of First National Bank and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis; a trustee of the Brooks Art Gallery; a board member of the Convent of the Good Shepherd; and a president of the Tennessee Retail Association, the Goldsmith Charitable Foundation, the Cavendish Trading Corporation, the Gayoso House Hotel and the Jadora Corporation.

Mr. Goldsmith was a member of many clubs, including the Memphis Rotary Club, the 100 Club and the Ridgeway Country Club. He was a 32nd Degree Mason. He worshipped at Temple Beth Israel on Longboat Key.

Mr. Goldsmith was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy M. Metzger. His is survived by his daughter, Joan Marks; sons, Jack, Larry and Melvin; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota or a charity of your choice.