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James Smith Obituary
He was born August 30, 1939 in Louisville, KY, to the late Robert and Virginia Smith, Sr. J.R. was a veteran of the United States Army and retired from BF Goodrich in Louisville. He was a member of American Legion Post #204 in Sellersburg, IN, attended Northside Christian Church in New Albany, IN, and was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Leister, and brother, Danny Smith.
Survivors include: wife of 54 years, Sharron Key Smith; daughter, Carrie (Joe) Krause, Sellersburg, IN; sons, Robbie (Mindy) Smith, Memphis, IN, and Troy (Ann) Smith , Henryville, IN; sisters, Carol (John) Thomas and Judy (Jim) Hutchinson; brothers, Harvey (Diane) Smith, Paul (Junko) Smith and Bruce (Pam) Smith; grandchildren, Katie (Noah) Naville, Ryan Smith, and Cory Krause ; great-granddaughters, Sophia Naville; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown Road, New Albany, IN. His Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Kraft Funeral Chapel with entombment to follow at Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park in New Albany, IN.
The family requests expressions of sympathy go to Gentiva Hospice or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Online condolences may be made to: www.kraftfs.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Smith
January 1, 2015
Just remembering you dad.....Happy New Year and we miss you and love you dearly.
Sandy Gilland
January 16, 2014
Sharron and family,
I am truly sorry to hear about JR. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sandy
christy baker
January 14, 2014
uncle jr was truley a great man always laughing an smiling our family is special 2 me ur not in pain no more an i no u r watching all of us many good times at camp ur a hero 2 many an we will all have more good times when all see each other again
Cherry Vowels
January 12, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We will all miss J.R.'s smile and his fight for life. He will always be our hearts. I pray GOD will give you comfort. R.I. P. J.R..
Carol Hicks-Maymon
January 11, 2014
I have wonderful, fond memories of J.R., Sharron & all the Smith family I will always treasure. There was never one time that i didn't see him smiling! May God bless all of you & comfort you knowing J.R. is feeling no pain & 100% healed. J.R. is an Angel watching over all of us. He will truly be missed. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Love & hugs! Carol Hicks-Maymon
JEFFERY KEY KEY
January 11, 2014
JR WE WILL MISS YOUR GREAT SMILE,AND YOUR
KINDNESS TO EVERY ONE YOU EVER MET.YOU ALWAYS SEEN THE BRIGHT SIDE TO EVERYTHING.I JUST WISH I COULD HAVE BEAT
YOU AT HORSESHOES JUST,ONE TIME.YOU WERE ALWAYS LIKE A BROTHER TO ME.LOVE YOU,AND WILL ALWAYS MISS YOU SANDRA,JEFFERY
Randy Evans
January 11, 2014
It was honor to get to know you over the years J.R. I'll miss stopping by with Troy to hang out and have a beer in the garage while we talked. Storm the beaches up there Soldier till we can gather again to tell stories. You will be missed greatly
Troy Smith
January 11, 2014
Daddy, words cannot express how much you will be missed. Our hearts are broken, but we know you are in heaven now watching over us. You truly were the most loving, kind and sweetest man that we have ever known, and there will be a huge void in our hearts without you. You fought valiantly over the past year's and you have been an inspiration to all of us. You are our hero. Till we meet again.
January 10, 2014
Daddy, words cannot express how much we mill miss you, even though you are in a better place. Our whole world will be upside down without you, but we know you are home now, and there will be no more suffering, pain, or sorrow. We could not have asked for a better father, or husband. I will miss you dearly and my heart is broken, but we will meet again. We know you were tired, and you fought bravely through the years after your retirement. You are truly the sweetest, kindest man that I have known and you are our hero! All of our love, and until we meet again. Heaven truly gained a wonderful angel.
-Sharron, Troy, Ann, Rob, Mindy, Ryan
Jo Ann & Larry Douglas
January 10, 2014
We lose track of our cousins as our families grow and extend, but I have fond memories of our family gatherings. Sharon and all of my Smith cousins please know that my prayers are for J.R. as he is welcomed with peace and love into our Fathers arms. Love and Peace to you all.
Jo Ann Johnston Douglas and Larry Douglas
January 10, 2014
Uncle J.R. I am glad you are not in pain anymore. I always remember you smiling all the time or laughing. You will be greatly missed! Love to you all.
Cindy, Jimmy, and John Kelly (Tampa, FL).
Jeff & Cassie Z
January 10, 2014
Rest in peace neighbor. I will miss waiving to you while we were mowing on our tractors....summer just won't be the same without you.
January 10, 2014
Thank you for your service to our country. Rest in God's eternal peace. From a grateful American.
Steve & Maryann Carney
January 10, 2014
Carrie and Family,
We were so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Please give your Mom a hug from us.
Terrie Glessner McElwain
January 9, 2014
It's with loving fond memories and a heavy heart that I send my prayers and condolences. So many happy memories growing up included time with J.R. and Sharron....back yard bar-b-ques in the summer...Saturday nights in our kitchen laughing and talking...stopping by their house on Christmas Eve before we went home to wait for Santa...Churchill Downs with J.R. & my dad studying the race forms to make educated losing bets while my mom and Sharron won by picking colors of the silks and horses...and a vacation in Florida that started by arriving at the hotel the same time a hurricane did....just to name a few. J.R. was with my dad in Korea when Rusty and I were born, and our families stayed close once they both returned home. I'll treasure those memories forever. Our family lost a wonderful man...and God received a lovely angel.
Love, Terrie & Austin
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