James K. Smith

SMITH, JAMES K. (J.K.) James K. (J.K.) Smith, was born on a farm in Meade County, KY on February 10, 1916. He attended Western KY State Teachers College in Bowling Green, KY. He was employed for 42 years in an executive capacity in the private sector of the rural electric program. At age 21, he was manager of Fleming Mason Rural Electric Coop in Flemingsburg, KY. In 1948, he moved to Louisville, KY to become the first CEO of the State Rural Electric Association a position he held for 22 years. His last 10 years in the rural electric program, he was the first President & CEO of National Rural Utility Cooperative Corporation in Washington, DC where they named their office building the "J K Smith Building". He was a leader in the rural electric program nationwide for the majority of his career. He also worked to establish electric coops in Ecuador and Thailand and was recognized by Secretary of State Dean Rusk for his contributions to rural electric systems in foreign countries. A book recently published about the rural electric program in KY titled "Let There Be Light" was dedicated to him. He retired from the rural electric program in 1979 and moved to Florida residing in Mount Dora, FL until his death November 6, 2008. He was married to Marjorie T. Smith for 70 years and has one son, James T. Smith, Louisville, KY and one grandson, Brook T. Smith, Louisville, KY and three great grandsons. There will be a memorial service at the chapel at Waterman Village in Mount Dora, FL at 2PM on Monday, November 24, 2008. Any expressions of sympathy should be made as donations to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778. Arrangements by ALLEN J. HARDEN FUNERAL HOME, 1800 N. Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, FL 32757. Phone: 352-383-8178. (www.allenjharden.com)