This one hurts. A dear friend in life and an excellent colleague in our weather industry Jared Smith (@chswx Charleston Weather) unexpectedly passed away yesterday due to extended complications from his heart surgery last Thursday. It was a planned surgery that was to help avoid further complications and get him where he needed to be, but it turned for the worst and many of us are surprisingly upset and very sad. Just contacted him last Wed night before the surgery and he was very positive and optimistic going into it - even said he wanted to have another get-together after the whole thing was over. Made sure to give him some positive words and wish him well. Glad I did - because I didn't know it would be the last conversation I would have with him. 😥 Jared was a one-of-a-kind person who was both genuine and generous with his time. If you knew him, he was extremely talented in all areas of his careers. I met and worked with him on the @CarolinaWxGroup for many years and we kept in good touch for all things weather here locally. Jared had just gotten married to his wife Lily Wald and was very happy. There are a lot of sad folks today wondering how and why with the complications, but let's focus on the person he was and celebrate his time with us - he touched a lot of lives with his personality and his incredible ability to share his knowledge. Truly a light that shone brightly - gone too soon. Keep him, his family and loved ones in your thoughts and say a prayer for their well being through this hard time. Take care and hug your peeps today - make those calls you've been meaning to make that time has washed over. It's worth it. Pics below include his wife Lily and at a College of Charleston meteorology event with Dr. Marshall Shepherd, TV Personality, Professor, Author as speaker and Meteorologist Trevor Gibbs, who among the first graduates of the CofC meteorology program. Jared was super stoked to be there as you can see. Great memory!