Smock John Reed Smock, former FBI agent, Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission chairman and Carroll County Circuit Court judge, will celebrate his 100th birthday July 14 at Westminster Village retirement home in West Lafayette. Smock is believed to be the oldest retired FBI agent in the United States.

Born on July 14, 1908, in Rossville, Smock grew up in Delphi, and graduated from Delphi High School in 1926. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and a law degree from Indiana University, Bloomington.

He married the now-deceased Margaret Ann O'Hair on Oct. 11, 1930, while both were students at IU.

While attending IU, Smock lettered for three years in track. He won numerous first-place medals in Big Ten meets, both in relays and individually. He was a member of Acacia Fraternity and the Indiana Marching Band. He practiced law for 10 years in Delphi, during which time he served as city attorney and two terms as prosecuting attorney for Carroll County.

"When Pearl Harbor hit, I was 33 years old and the service didn't want anyone that old," Smock said. "Then I heard on the Walter Winchell radio program that the FBI needed people with a law background. That began my 27-year career as an FBI agent."

His assignments took Smock and his family to Buffalo, N.Y., Cleveland, Ohio, Kansas City, Mo., and in Indiana, to Indianapolis, Logansport and Lafayette.

Upon Smock's retirement from the FBI, Indiana Gov. Edgar D. Whitcomb appointed him chairman of the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission. He was charged with enforcing alcohol laws and collecting revenues. After completion of his duties, Gov. Whitcomb presented Smock with the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award.

At the request of Carroll County attorneys, Gov. Otis Bowen appointed him Carroll County Circuit Court judge when the death of the incumbent created a vacancy. He later ran unopposed for a six-year term as judge.

After retiring to Lafayette, Smock served for 10 years on the Merit Board of the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office.

He is a past member of the Masonic Lodge in Delphi, and the Central Presbyterian Church in Lafayette. He also is a former 30-year member of the John Purdue Club and lifetime member of the IU Varsity Club. He is a fan of college and professional basketball and football, and enjoys bird watching and the study of other wild animals.

Smock's two surviving daughters, Sandra Grady of St. Louis, Mo., and Karen Frey of Woodside, Calif., will gather at Westminster Village retirement home to wish him well, as will the children of his deceased daughter Jane Chambers. The celebration is scheduled for July 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Westminster's main lobby, and also will be attended by most of his 11 grandchildren, 12 greatgrandchildren and their families.