Funeral service for Retired SFC James Oliver Smith 84, of Killeen, TX will be held Thursday, September 26, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, TX. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow the service at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 25, 2024 (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.) at the funeral home.

SFC James Oliver Smith was born to Samuel George Smith and Gavas Smith in Idabel, Oklahoma, with a sunrise of December 3, 1939, and a heavenly sunset of September 6, 2024.

James's educational structure came from Booker T. Washington High School in Idabel Oklahoma. James's United States Army enlistment began on May 25,1958 directly after high school. He successfully completed basic training at his first base in Fort Bliss, Texas.

James was stationed in Fort Bliss when he met the woman, he would not only fall in love with but would celebrate over 50 years of marital bliss with. His beloved wife Martha Ray Parks (Proceeded in Death) was a young and unequivocal true love of his life that after only a year and a half of courtship, they were wed on September 8, 1962.

James various military occupational specialties included, Anti-Aircraft Artillery Crewman Computer System Operator, and Punch card Machine Repairman.

James retired with 27 years of active military service that included a campaign in Vietnam, and an abundance of assignments including Germany and Korea where he was awarded the Army  Commendation Medal, Amy Good Conduct Medal (w/Silver 1 Loop), National Defense service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 5), Vietnam Service Medal ( w/4 Bronze Service Stars), Republic of Vitnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (w/Palm), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 1) Expert Badge (Rifle) and the Basic Missile Badge. His leadership and stand-up soldier qualities are what allowed him to continuously progress and make a name for himself in being an honorary patriot of our country.

James went on to work as a Computer Systems Analyst, Support Division, Directorate of Contracting, III Corps and Fort Cavazos with a total federal service including his military service of 42 years. James was commended for his outstanding service with awards of acknowledgement now as a civilian being the Department of the Army Commanders Award for Civilian Service, Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, the Department of the Army Retirement Certificate of Appreciation and the Department of the Army Certificate of Retirement and Pin. James was truly a man where to know him is to love him because he surely would give you his best every time.

James was a master mechanic and his passion for working on cars mixed with his businessman mentality made a major full circle from military to civilian promise of servitude come to pass with Smitty's Automotive Repair opening its doors in 2013 James's work ethic was beyond reproach as even coming home from the corporate world he continued to serve as a laborer to the automotive world ensuring that each vehicle was handled as if it were his own.

James had an unrefuted love for cooking. Some of his favorite and most requested recreations included brisket and banana pudding. During the holiday season, you would surely find him in the kitchen making eclectic southern culinary delights such as chitterlings, hog maws, collard greens, black eyed peas and of course corn bread on the side.

James supported numerous nonprofit organizations by collecting canned goods, toys, school supplies and giving charitable donations on a regular basis. It is no surprise to a military member to give for a higher cause than yourself. However, as a Senior Deacon of the Andrew Baskin Lodge Mason brethren of Taegu Korea servitude giving beyond oneself is something that came from the heart of James even as a young man and naturally continued in his adult life in a plethora of avenues. He was the first person to give the shirt off his back or the last dollar from his very own wallet to someone in need without hesitation.

He leaves behind to cherish and honor his memory:  two daughters, Victoria Doreen Ezell and Blanchee Annette Sims; a son Terry Llewellyn Lewis; His brothers Clifton W Smith, Keith R Smith, and Steven G Smith.  He is proceeded in death by: siblings, Roy L Smith, Tony A Smith, and Benjamin C Smith; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of family who all kept him continuously surrounded by love and admiration.