James W. Smith Jr.

James William Smith, Jr. loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather passed away the 26th of April, from a traumatic brain injury as a result of a fall. Jim was born the 24th of February 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas to Kittie and Jim Smith. He was predeceased by his father and is survived by his mother, his wife Susan Huhndorff Smith of 44 years, his daughters Robin Clark (Michael), Lisa Smith (Jim Bodner), and grandsons Jack and Brandon. He is also survived by his brother Harry (Mary), sister-in-law Carol Williams (Larry), nephews, niece and cousins.

Growing up in San Antonio, Jim was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1961. He continued his education at his beloved University of Texas at Austin, earning a B.B.A. in 1965 and his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law in 1967. Jim started his law career in 1968 at Childs, Fortenbach, Beck, and Guyton, where he became a partner of the firm. He continued his law practice at Butler and Binion when the two firms merged in 1987. In 1993 he formed his own law firm, Snell and Smith, with his longtime law school friend, Richard Snell, until the firm merged with Thompson and Knight in 2000.

Jim was passionate about his UT Longhorns, golf, travel and his precious grandsons. Pa-Pa loved playing “Gruffalo” and “tickle bug” with them when they spent the night at the house. He was a longtime member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, quietly being a good servant to his savior, Jesus Christ.

The family would like to thank the NSICU and hospice care teams at Memorial Hermann Hospital and UT Medical School for their compassionate care.

Friends are cordially invited to a gather and share remembrances of Jim with the family from three o’clock in the afternoon until five o’clock in the evening on Sunday, the 1st of May, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The memorial service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 2nd of May, in the sanctuary of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive in Houston, where Dave Steane, Executive Pastor is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception.

Honorary pallbearers are Richard Snell, Randy Burroughs, Michael Clark, Jim Bodner, Matthew Bade, Emily Duron, Matt Smith, Michael and David Hanna.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions in memory of Jim W. Smith, Jr. , be directed to, MDPC Memorials, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, 77024.