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James H. Smith Fredericksburg, TX QCWA # 14814 Chapter 38 |
Name: James Hannaford Smith
Birth Date: 17 Oct 1921
Issue Year: Before 1951
Issue State: Texas
Last Residence: 78624, Fredericksburg, Texas
Death Date: 25 Apr 2010
James Hannaford Smith, age 88 of San Antonio, took the final flight of his Grand Adventure on Sunday, April 25, 2010. Jimmy was born in Moscow, Tennessee on October 17, 1921. His family moved to San Antonio in 1925 where his father started the J. Andrew Smith Office Furniture store on Main Street. Jimmy graduated from Jefferson High School in 1939. He attended the University of Texas in Austin where he was a Kappa Sigma. Jimmy then joined the Army Air Corp. He was a Captain flying the B-24 for the Mediterranean Theater during World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous other service awards. Although he loved his military career, he returned to San Antonio to manage the family office furniture business. Jimmy continued his love for flying after World War II and Korea, enjoying personal aviation well into his seventies. Jimmy initially met his beloved vivacious wife of 60 years, Tommie Lou Ziegler, while attending Jefferson High School, but they fell in love at the Tower dance hall. Jimmy and Tommie Lou were blessed with three children, travels around the world, and ranching at their Smith I-Bar Ranch in Mason County. Jimmy participated in many activities including the Texas Cavaliers, the San Antonio County Club, the Town Club, the B&P Club, the Quiet Birdman Club and was a lay reader at St. David's Episcopal Church. However, his two favorite civic clubs were the Alamo Kiwanis Club and the Rock Art Foundation of which he served as President of both organizations.
He was also an avid ham radio operator, which began in his pre-teen years, initially building his own radios and eventually acquiring "stacks of radios" that allowed him to speak to his many friends around the world. Jimmy and Tommie Lou moved to Fredericksburg in 2001 where they met many new friends. He became involved in the community by volunteering at the Nimitz Museum, the Hill Country Memorial Hospital, and volunteer police. They moved to the Forum in January 2010.
Jimmy is survived by his beloved wife, Tommie Lou Ziegler Smith; three children, Jamie Smith Jackson, Shellie Smith Yokum and spouse Tom, and Andrew Ziegler Smith and spouse Annie; grandchildren, Sunny Merry and spouse Adrian, Liza Smith, Emarie Smith Berkley, and Ada Smith; great grandchildren, Henry and Sadie Merry and Hendrix Berkley. Jimmy leaves a dear sister, Frances Lanier Hurst and her family, and the loving Ziegler family.
The family would like to thank the Hill Country Memorial Hospital, Dr. Leo Tynan, their many friends in San Antonio, Mason and Fredericksburg as well as the great care he had at the Forum and Hospice Vitas. Serving as Pallbearers will be George Brannis, John Eric Hurst, Adrian Merry, Jefferson Sellers, Robert Sellers, Andy Smith, William Sterett and Thad M. Ziegler. Those being recognized as Honorary Pallbearers are Milton Buckelew, Tom Clowe, O.H. Finck, Buddy Guyler, Gen. Gene Hudson, Andrew H. Jackson, Brad Lomax, Al Muirhead, Malcolm Sterett, Terry Thrift, Thomas Yokum and Thad W. Ziegler.
In lieu of flowers, please take the time to share an interesting adventure story or give to the charity of your choice. A service to commemorate Jimmy's exciting life will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at St. David's Episcopal Church, 1300 Wiltshire, with the Rev. James Murguia officiatin