SMITH, James P. Sr. was called to be with our Lord Jesus on November 29, 2017. Jim was born August 17, 1929 to Alexander and Clara Smith in Warriors Mark, PA. On June 16, 1962, he married the love of his life, Lillian Grace Gambini. They had 48 wonderful years together before Lillian's passing in 2011. Jim is dearly missed by his adoring children: Kathryn Murphy (Todd) Kennesaw, GA, James P. Smith, Jr. (Vicki) Washington Township, OH, Marilyn Kelly (Brennen) Atlantic Beach, FL, and Susan Westbeld (James) Kettering, OH; by his grandchildren Amanda, Adam, Kathryn, Madeline and Benjamin Westbeld, Caroline and Emily Murphy, and James P. Smith, III. He is also survived by his sisters Joanne Boyce, Chris Gowgiel, Agnes McDowell, and Cecelia Cable, and many nieces and nephews. One of seven children, Jim was raised on a farm where he learned the value of hard work and conservation. He quickly earned the reputation as a standout physics student at Penn State University, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Physics. As an undergraduate, he was recruited by HRB Singer (now Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems) a defense contractor in State College, PA. He later studied at the Brookings Institution. Jim worked throughout his career in support of our nation’s defense both here and abroad, including assignments to the Far East during the 1950s and Germany during the 1960s. He was a senior intelligence analyst for the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) and previous organizations. He was a recognized national expert in electronic warfare and was a founding father of their electronic warfare reprogramming efforts. Jim was often called upon to personally brief senior national leaders regarding foreign electronic warfare threats. He was selected and recognized as the NASIC most outstanding mission contributor in 1996 with their most prestigious Major General Harold Watson Award for his ongoing brilliant performance and superior dedication to duty. Jim retired from NASIC after a distinguished career in 2003 to spend more time with his beloved family and to play more golf with his friends and family. He was also a dedicated parishioner and lector at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Kettering. The words most often used to describe Jim are thoughtful, warm-hearted and the "perfect gentleman”. His accomplishments notwithstanding, Jim remained humble, kind, generous, loving, strong, and caring. He put great care and thought into everything he did. He served as a wonderful example of how to live a great life. Although he will be truly missed, his example will continue to live on through his beloved family each day. The family will receive friends at TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-FAR HILLS CHAPEL, 5471 Far Hills Ave. at Rahn Rd, Dayton, OH 45429, Monday, December 4, 2017 from 5 to 8 pm. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 am Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd. Kettering, OH 45429. Memorial contributions may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Paul's Archbishop Leibold Home, 476 Riddle Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220-2411 of www.littlesistersofthepoorcincinnati.org. Online condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.
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