James E. Smith Jr.

JAMES E. SMITH JR., 51, of Fort Wayne, died on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, at his residence. Born Dec. 12, 1962, in Fort Wayne, he was a son of Dale Ann (Pickens) Smith of Fort Wayne and the late James E. Smith Sr. He was former owner of J&C Automotive and worked for O'Reilly Auto Parts. He was a member of Heartland Community Church. He drag raced at Avilla and Muncie with a stock Firebird (Early Bird) that he built. He loved NASCAR and NHRA and watching his favorite drivers Jeff Gordon and Warren Johnson. His favorite car was his classic 1967 Olds 442. Also surviving are his wife, Cynthia A. Smith of Fort Wayne; three children, Stephanie K. Smith, Adam Smith and Megan Smith, all of Fort Wayne; sister, MaLinda Smith of Pleasant Lake; and three grandchildren, Jordan J. Smith, Cameron C. Smith and Aniya D. Smith, all of Fort Wayne. Funeral service is 1 p.m. Saturday at C.M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home, 1327 N. Wells St., with calling from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Calling also from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial in Mt. Zion Cemetery. Preferred memorials to Heartland Community Church. www.sloanandsonsfuneralhome.com