1944
Jimmy
2012
Jimmy Smith
February 20, 1944 — September 11, 2012
Jimmy “Jim” Neil Smith, 68 of Waco passed away Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at Scott & White Hospital in Temple. He was a two time lung transplant recipient, receiving the first one in May 2002 and the second transplant in July 2009. He was very fortunate in having the opportunity to meet, as well as continue a relationship with his second donors family, which gave him great joy.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive, Waco Texas, Sunday September 16 at 2:00 p.m.
Jimmy was born to George W. Smith and Katherine Magness Smith in Mexia at Brown Memorial Hospital on February 20, 1944. He attended Mexia High School. As a child he worked for his father at the family’s Auto & Wrecker Service. He left Mexia to work at W.O. Bankston Oldsmobile and told stories of meeting Mickey Mantle and Floyd Hamilton. An aged Hamilton was a ex-con who had turned his life around and worked security for W.O. Bankston. At one time Hamilton ran with the Bonnie and Clyde gang.
Jim was a very hard worker and accomplished many career endeavors. In the 1970’s he was owner/operator of Jimmy’s Gulf Service Station in Mexia and Jimmy’s Enco Station in Corsicana. He was also in the Seismograph Industry, drilling for oil and gas in Quito, Ecuador, Bogota, Columbia, Bolivia, Venezuela and Alaska, as well as all over Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.
He married Jimmie Poteet April 10, 1982 and together they owned and operated Jim’s Drive Inn in Jewett, Texas, and later purchased the Running Branch Campground and Marina at Lake Limestone. They eventually sold the Marina and moved on the Lake where he helped Jimmie with Real Estate. He has lived in Waco the past 2 ½ years after failing health prompted a move to be closer to doctors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Larry Smith in 1991, son-in-law Steve Warrick in 2011, and brother-in-law Charles Fowler in March of this year.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 30 years Jimmie Smith; son Mike Smith and wife Bennie of Lake Mexia; daughters Susan Lloyd and husband Tommy and Jennifer Hayes and husband Bill Of Mexia, Kathy Warrick of Lorena, Donna Ginsel of Speegleville, Sherry Youngblood of Temple. Grandchildren; Jerry Ginsel and wife Liz, Trent Lloyd, Jace Lloyd and Kelsey, Tarin Hayes and Jordan, Stevie Warrick, Brittany Warrick and Keaton, Kadie Miller. Great-Grandchildren; Chance Miller, Parker and Rowan Ginsel, Zachary Adams, and due to arrive in December Emma Bare. Brother; Richard Smith of Huntsville, sister; Carole Fowler of Granbury; and numerous additional family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to University Transplant Center, San Antonio, Texas.
  Born: February 20, 1944  Death: September 11, 2012 Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive, Waco Texas, Sunday September 16 at 2:00 p.m.
Jimmy was born to George W. Smith and Katherine Magness Smith in Mexia at Brown Memorial Hospital on February 20, 1944. He attended Mexia High School. As a child he worked for his father at the family’s Auto & Wrecker Service. He left Mexia to work at W.O. Bankston Oldsmobile and told stories of meeting Mickey Mantle and Floyd Hamilton. An aged Hamilton was a ex-con who had turned his life around and worked security for W.O. Bankston. At one time Hamilton ran with the Bonnie and Clyde gang.
Jim was a very hard worker and accomplished many career endeavors. In the 1970’s he was owner/operator of Jimmy’s Gulf Service Station in Mexia and Jimmy’s Enco Station in Corsicana. He was also in the Seismograph Industry, drilling for oil and gas in Quito, Ecuador, Bogota, Columbia, Bolivia, Venezuela and Alaska, as well as all over Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.
He married Jimmie Poteet April 10, 1982 and together they owned and operated Jim’s Drive Inn in Jewett, Texas, and later purchased the Running Branch Campground and Marina at Lake Limestone. They eventually sold the Marina and moved on the Lake where he helped Jimmie with Real Estate. He has lived in Waco the past 2 ½ years after failing health prompted a move to be closer to doctors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Larry Smith in 1991, son-in-law Steve Warrick in 2011, and brother-in-law Charles Fowler in March of this year.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 30 years Jimmie Smith; son Mike Smith and wife Bennie of Lake Mexia; daughters Susan Lloyd and husband Tommy and Jennifer Hayes and husband Bill Of Mexia, Kathy Warrick of Lorena, Donna Ginsel of Speegleville, Sherry Youngblood of Temple. Grandchildren; Jerry Ginsel and wife Liz, Trent Lloyd, Jace Lloyd and Kelsey, Tarin Hayes and Jordan, Stevie Warrick, Brittany Warrick and Keaton, Kadie Miller. Great-Grandchildren; Chance Miller, Parker and Rowan Ginsel, Zachary Adams, and due to arrive in December Emma Bare. Brother; Richard Smith of Huntsville, sister; Carole Fowler of Granbury; and numerous additional family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to University Transplant Center, San Antonio, Texas.
  Born: February 20, 1944  Death: September 11, 2012 Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.
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