Dion A. Smack Jr.

Dion Anthony Smack Jr. joyfully bounced into this world on October 5, 1989 lovingly welcomed by his parents Dion Smack Sr. and Erica Smack in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dion completed his life’s journey and joined his Lord and Savior on March 15, 2023. As a young child Dion attended Eastwick United Methodist church, with his mother Erica and grandmother Christina Heggs. Dion was baptized at the age of 2 by Reverend Alfred Maloney. As a teenager, Dion desired a closer relationship with God and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Starting at a young age, Dion made his mark in this world. At only 18 months Dion landed a role in the critically acclaimed movie “Malcolm X” written and directed by Spike Lee as Reginald, Malcolm’s younger brother. Once the movie wrapped up Dion booked several other print and modeling jobs, but compassion for others was his purpose. His mission in life was to help and encourage others. He silently invested into the hopes and aspirations of others; truly wanting to see their dreams come true. Dion believed in living life to the fullest - a belief that inspired his adventurous spirit. This was one of the greatest joys of his life. With a servants heart, Dion and his mother volunteered their time preparing meals at Manna, an organization that provides nutritious meals for individuals who have serious illnesses. Dion was also involved with a program known as Applause, an annual Arthritis Foundation event; bringing awareness to the many children and adults suffering with severe debilitating arthritis. As the season of modeling and acting ended, Dion, an avid sports fan, pursued and excelled in football, baseball, and soccer; he later joined a bowling league, one of his favorite hobbies. Dion’s formative years of education were spent at Spruce Hill Christian Academy, Calvary Temple Christian Academy, as well as American Christian Academy. He graduated from Neumann Goretti Catholic High School in 2008. While attending Neumann Goretti Dion not only excelled on the field, as an amazing running back, but he also was a great runner on the track team, and was invited to run in the Penn Relays. Post graduation, Dion studied Business at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and then graduated from the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, where he studied to be a medical assistant. During his life, Dion worked at various jobs such as Harry’s Seafood, Marriott, Citizens Bank Park, Wells Fargo Center, Chilis, Presbyterian Hospital, Dollar General, just to name a few, lol. During the pandemic, Dion completed the program to become an EMR(Electronic Medical Records) Training Specialist. This is when he found the most rewarding career, working as an EMR Training Specialist, for Interscripts in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As an EMR Training Specialist, Dion provided development organization, and implementation of EMR Training to users across the country, including providers, and clinicians and support staff. Dion enjoyed watching sports and spending time with his friends. Dion was a good bowler, and decided to join a bowling league in Oklahoma during his spare time. “Smack” as he was most affectionally called by his friends, recently tried his hand in playing Pickleball. Dion was a God fearing man, loyal and fiercely protective of his family and friends. Dion was also an entrepreneur and was planning his next venture when tragedy prematurely intervened. Dion was preceded in death by his loving, nurturing maternal grandmother Christina Heggs, and Donald Smack Sr. paternal grandfather. Dion is most loved and missed by his father Dion Smack Sr. and beloved mother Erica(E-Rock\Mom-Dukes) Smack; maternal grandfather Enoch Heggs, paternal grandmother Claudia Smack. Uncles Allen Heggs Sr. (Adrienne), Wendell Smack, Donald D. Smack Jr., Aunts Tracey Moat (Aubrey), Shellie Fuller, Cousins Chetia (Teez) Heggs, Ebony Heggs, Heather Byrd, Allen Heggs Jr., Kyle Heggs, Logan Smack, Kayla Smack, Donald Smack III, LaToya Allah-Hill, Vernon Carter Jr. Nasiyr Carter, Tynisha Smack, Kaylan Fuller, Mahdi Fuller, Martin Fuller; Godson, Rhory Allen Campbell; Dion’s friends that we now call “The Brotherhood” Robert Campbell, Brian Jones, Talbert Lawton, Cyril Martinez and Victor McClinton. There are countless loving relatives and friends who are dear to Dion, too many to list them all, but we appreciate each and every one of them. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

Dion A. Smack Jr.

October 5, 1989 - March 15, 2023