SMETHPORT — The afternoon session of McKean County Court opened with a tribute to a late Potter County attorney who practiced law in McKean County.

Jarett Smith of Coudersport died on Feb. 3 at the age of 48.

President Judge John Pavlock had Assistant District Attorney Ashley Shade and Public Defender Phil Clabaugh place an untied necktie over a chair in front of the courtroom in memory of Smith.

Pavlock then spent a few minutes reflecting on Smith’s memory, recalling that he often would be running into the courtroom after attending to a different court matter elsewhere, still fixing his tie.

The chair remained there all afternoon.

“Sometimes he made us think, sometimes he changed our minds and sometimes he just frustrated us,” said Pavlock. “But he always put his full heart and soul into what he was doing.”

Pavlock related a recent conversation he had with Smith in which the attorney said he wanted to renew his focus on his work and his children.

The judge finished his speech with a farewell.

“Take care, Jarett. We are thinking of you and your family.”