09/01/2025
BELOVED BROADCASTER AND COMMUNITY LEADER PASSES AWAY AT 84
By Pete Vasquez
[email protected]
Jarvis C. “Mike” Smith Jr., 84, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025, at his residence in San Antonio, Texas.
Mr. Smith was a proud member of the Rotary Club of Alice and the longtime owner of KOPY 1070 AM and 92.1 FM, where his distinctive voice became synonymous with local sports and community life.
For many years, he served as the play-by-play voice of Alice High School Athletics and TAMUK Javelina Football, bringing excitement, spirit, and a sense of pride to fans across South Texas. His passion for local broadcasting made him a familiar and respected figure throughout the region.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Mr. Smith also served as Executive Director of the Alice Chamber of Commerce, where he worked tirelessly to support the growth and development of the community he loved.
After retiring in the mid-2000s, Mr. Smith relocated to San Antonio to be closer to his daughter and grandson. There, he found joy in working as a train conductor at the San Antonio Zoo, a role that allowed him to reconnect with families and friends from across South Texas.
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Jarvis and Ruby Myers Smith; his sister, Janet Smith Haufler; and his daughter, Karen “Chrissy” Smith. He is survived by his son, Michael Smith of Huntsville, Texas; his daughter, Carrie Smith Compton, and grandson, Cody Compton of San Antonio, Texas; his sister, Judy Smith Luedemann of Houston, Texas; as well as a maternal aunt, cousins, a niece, and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 10th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alice Country Club, where family and friends will gather to share memories and honor his legacy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
On a personal note, co-broadcasting Alice Coyote football on the radio with Mr. Smith was nothing short of exciting. His work ethic was unmatched. But what stood out most was how he showed up as the heartbeat of a broadcast week after week. He made the road feel like home. We shared ridiculous inside jokes and unforgettable game memories, and we leaned on each other when the challenges of live broadcasting got heavy. He insisted we arrive early to every stadium and took pride in making sure our headsets and mics worked flawlessly. More than a partner in the booth, he was a friend whose presence made every broadcast an experience to remember.
