James Floyd Smith

James (Jim) Floyd Smith was born on September 20, 1944 to Curtis and Lucy Smith in Mount Vernon, TX. He left his earthly vessel on June 25, 2020. He was especially close to his mother and is now safely in her loving arms, surrounded by the rest of his heavenly family. Right now, there’s one heck of a game of 42 going on!

Jim started working at a very young age to help support his family. He worked at multiple jobs and then as a teenager, he worked alongside his brother as a projectionist in his family’s theatre business. He graduated from Mathis High School in 1963 and was drafted into the Air Force in 1964. After he returned from Vietnam, he made use of his fearlessness of heights and began rigging for such artists as David Bowie, the Beach Boys, Phil Collins, and Genesis. Jim was the Stage Manager at the Tarrant County Convention Center, a Stagehand at the Bass Performance Hall, and was a proud member of the I.A.T.S.E. Local 126, where he was respected by all. Anyone who knew him, knows he never met a stranger and he never encountered a piece of equipment he could not take apart and successfully repair or “improve”. The list of skills he mastered is infinitely long.

Jim proudly fought in the Vietnam War as a Forward Air Controller attached to the 101st Airborne. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and an Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

Jim loved his family, his farms and cattle (not necessarily in that order), and he also loved to read books on history and watch old Westerns. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Michele, his son, James Edward and his wife Stephanie, his daughters Barbara Suzanne, Georgia Laverne, and Elizabeth Lauren; 9 grandchildren and one great grandson. Jim was predeceased by both parents and by his baby sister, Martha. He leaves behind a sister, Carrie, and a brother, Larry, both of Houston, TX.

Jim left a lasting impact on everyone he met and he will be forever missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider making a donation to one of these organizations in Jim’s name:

Gary Sinise Foundation

Fisher House

Lions Club International