James Franklin Smart

James Franklin Smart was born in the family home in Strong, Arkansas on April 8, 1938. When he was 12 years old, he came to Fresno, California with his father, Franklin Smart.

He spent the rest of his life living in Fresno. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1956 He then went to work at Schenley Distillers in Fresno. He also did take classes in accounting at Fresno City College. When Schenley closed its doors in Fresno, James and his son, Kevin, started their Smart’s Pool Service business. James and his best friend, Mal Reynolds, also started a small half-oak whiskey barrel container business, S & R Barrels for a few years.

James and his wife, Sharon Lynn, in their 51 years together enjoyed camping at Shut Eye mountain, dirt bike riding at Kettleman hills, and fishing and boating in California and Nevada with our family and friends. In later years there were fond memories made in trips to the coastal towns of Pacific Grove, Morro Bay, Cayucos, and Cambria with sons, Kirk and Kevin and their families. He loved his family and made it a point of always try to include them on our trips wherever we went. Even to the end, James was planning a trip to Bass Lake and another one to Morro Bay in January 2022.

One of Sharon Lynn’s last memories created by James was when he was in the hospital waiting for his open- heart surgery, June 14, 2020, he was able to send her a bouquet of fruit and anniversary balloons with a special card from him to be delivered on their 50th anniversary June 13, 2020. He was so happy to call her that night and hear that she had received his gift. The second memory was that of him driving them to Prather in February 2021 and having a hamburger together at a restaurant there-outside because of the pandemic.

Kirk also had a memory of his father that he remembers that when he was younger he and his father went together to see the “tough” guys movies that starred such actors as Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson.

James is preceded in death by his father, William Franklin Smart, mother, Myrdice Smart, stepmother, Myrt Smart, and his brother Jewell Overstreet. Also, his father-in-law, Elmer Gluntz, brother-in-law, Don Gluntz, and sister-in-law, Lois Williams.

He leaves his wife of 51 years, Sharon Lynn, two sons, Kirk Smart and his wife, Rosario, and his son, Kevin Smart and wife, Renee, grandson, Brandon and wife, Leslie, great grandson, Adam, granddaughter, Brittany and husband, Blake, and great granddaughter, Juliet, and great grandson, Axel, and his brother Bill Smart and wife, Ruth Ann. Also, brother-in law, Gary Gluntz and wife, Debbie, Barbara Mills and husband, Dennis, and Susan Stephen and husband, Mark.

He also leaves many nieces and nephews, Megan Smart, Jacob Smart, Paul Gluntz and wife, Doreen, Jon and wife, Belinda, Jacqueline and Jeanette Gluntz, Kathyrn Gluntz and great nephew, Braydon Behr, and great niece, Madeline Behr, Christina Wheeler and husband, Daniel, Nicole, Conner Stephen, Mark Stephan Jr. and wife, Heather and great niece Audrey, and great nephews Jonathan, Christopher, and William. Also, in his family his much loved, 99 year- old, mother-in-law, Esther Gluntz.

He passed away, peacefully on Thursday, October 28, 2021. His family was able to be with him during his last days.

There will be a private graveside service. Please make any remembrances to your favorite charity or organization.