FOR almost 50 years of his life Derrick Smith was involved in service to the country.

From his time in the leadership training organisation known as the Jaycees, to a stint in the Senate, eight terms as a Member of Parliament, several posts in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and numerous Cabinet positions, Smith lived a life dedicated to creating a better Jamaica.

In 2005, Smith was conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) in recognition of his long service to politics, and when the national honours and awards list for 2026 was released on Thursday, the now 82-year-old was named one of seven outstanding Jamaicans to be appointed to the Order of Jamaica (OJ).

On Thursday an elated Smith welcomed the award during an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

“I have been around a long time, but when I got the news late last night (Wednesday) it took me by surprise, but I am most grateful, very happy and I would want to extend thanks and appreciation to all those who assisted me over the decades.

“It was all a team effort which I really appreciate and I want to really say thank you very much to those who helped in my constituencies, in the ministries, and everyone,” said Smith who entered representational politics in the People’s National Party-boycotted 1983 General Election in the now-defunct Kingston West Central constituency.

Smith switched to the Saint Andrew North Western constituency in 1989 and held that seat until he quit representational politics in 2018.

He told the Observer that his long stint in representational politics and Government was a call he could not ignore.

“I had no choice; that’s my training, my background. When you are given a task you stick with it notwithstanding the hurdles in your path and stick with it to the end and that is exactly what I did.

“Reflecting, perhaps I did too much because it impacted my health, which forced me out a little earlier than I had anticipated and even now as I speak I am still having major health issues,” added Smith.

The long-serving politician walked away from active politics with the admiration and respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and he told the Observer that was not by chance.

“I go back to my training and my personality. I was never ever that aggressive type… I was a very conservative person over the years and I respect people — I think that is very important — regardless of your political upbringing you give people the respect that is due. I also served under two prime ministers as leader of government business in the House [of Representatives] and in those positions you have to get the respect of the opposite member.

“Because I didn’t get myself distracted, I just stuck to the task at hand and that was to represent people, represent my party, and do the best with the opportunities I had in Government,” added Smith.