James Leon Smith Sr.

He was born on the Malbis Plantation in Daphne; the youngest of 12 children. He grew up in the Oakdale Community of Mobile, Alabama. He played sandlot football for many years with the Oakdale Blue Devils. It was almost like a hockey game as fights broke out every time they played. He remained friends with the guys from the team for the rest of his life; outliving most of them. He graduated from Murphy High School in 1948, went on to finish college with a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Auburn University in 1954. While in college he worked at the Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company on a co-op program, working three months and returning to school for three months. Leon became an officer in the U.S. Navy, a Naval Aviator and a Test Pilot during the Korean War. His favorite plane was the AD Skyraider, he talked about it for the rest of his life. He retired from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, effective January 1, 1991. While there he served as Budget Manager, Project Manager. He managed many big projects on locks and dams throughout several states. in addition he was Project Manager on the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway. Everything Leon did, he was ALL IN. If he could not do it his way he would not do it at all. He was an excellent hunter. He was a superb fisherman. He was a pro at gardening. He was well known for the wonderful tomatoes he grew and gave away every year. He loved music of all kinds, from Frank Sinatra “I did it my way”, to Bob Marley “Don’t Worry Be Happy” to DMX “Y’all gone make me lose my mind up in here”. July 17, 2017 he passed away at his home on Hollinger’s Island in Mobile. Leaving behind many people who loved him. His wife: Juanita Cooper Smith His children: James L. Smith, Jr. Michael A. Smith (Tee), David L Smith (Deeny), Lester D. Smtih, Paul L. Smith (Tina), Charles E. Smith, Debe D. Haidt, Regina L. Kelly, F. Wendell Erdman (Jennifer) and Eric L. Erdman Many Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren, nieces and nephews. His Final Message: Be yourself. Don’t worry about what anybody else thinks. Remember this is YOUR life, so LIVE IT!