James Thomas Smith went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on 7 February 2026. A visitation in his honor will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Grace Gardens Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m., with burial at Waco Memorial Park.

He was born 11 February 1941 in Blanco, Texas, the oldest child of Clinton M. Smith and Jewel Brannan Smith. After graduating from San Angelo Central High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was an honor graduate from Hospital Corps School and Neuropsychiatric Technician School. He was then assigned to the U.S. Naval Dispensary, San Francisco, California.

During his years as a Corpsman, he served with D Company, 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Division; Station Hospital, Saigon; Naval Hospital, San Diego; USS Hampshire County LST-819; and the 2nd Battalion, 1s Marines in Vietnam. While serving with the Marines he received a commission in the Medical Service Corps. As an officer he served with the Naval Hospital, Philadelphia; Navy Industrial and Environmental Health Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and the Naval Regional Medical Center, Philadelphia. He was a graduate of the Naval School of Health Care Administration and retired as a Lieutenant Commander after twenty years of service.

His awards and decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal with combat 'V', Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal with one bronze star, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with FMF Clasp and ten campaign stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Ribbon with palm, Vietnam Civic Action Ribbon with palm, and Vietnam Defense Medal.

In recognition of his lifelong service to God, country, and fellow veterans, he was named an Honorary Life Member of Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240 in Stephenville, Texas—an honor bestowed on only ten members in the Post’s history—for more than twenty-one years of devoted service and leadership in support of its mission.

After he retired from the Navy, he attended Tarleton State University receiving a bachelor's and a master's degree. He then taught in the Department of Engineering at Tarleton State University for twenty-eight years. He retired as an Assistant Professor in 2010. While he lived in Stephenville, he attended Harvey Baptist Church where he taught a ladies Sunday School Class for twenty-two years. Then he moved to Speegleville and attended Speegleville Baptist Church serving as a Deacon.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 61 years, Marilyn Mae Smith, and his parents. He is survived by: his wife, Lynda Smith and her children, Alicia Martinez and her husband Bernave, and Sean Milton; his son, John Smith, his son, Tom Smith and his wife Becky; his granddaughters, Lauren and Amber; his sister, Clara Shinpaugh; his sister-in-law Betty Faver and her husband, Scott and cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Speegleville Baptist Church food pantry or a charity of your choice.