James Harmon Smith

James Harmon Smith, Jr. passed on November 20, 2025. He was born in Wynne, Arkansas on January 24, 1945. Harmon grew up in Birdeye with his siblings and cousins riding his pony and loving all animals. He competed in high school rodeos, enjoying cutting and roping. He graduated from Wynne High School in 1963. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University in 1967 and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1970. He opened Cross County Veterinary Clinic as the first licensed veterinarian in Cross County and practiced small and large animal medicine for over 50 years including a special stretch of time with his late niece Dr. Julie Raffety Boone. Harmon always knew he wanted to be a veterinarian and he dedicated his life to caring for all of God's creatures, including but not limited to: Bantam chickens, Angus and Limousin cattle, Quarter horses, miniature horses, Sicilian burros, Nubian goats, Suffolk sheep, Australian Shepherds and Great Pyrenees.

He was appointed by the Governor to the Arkansas Veterinary Examining Board in 1973 and served until 1983. He served on the Cross County 4-H Foundation Board and was a lifetime member of the Wynne Presbyterian Church serving as an Elder.

Harmon married Helen (Jeanie) Tolle, on September 3, 1966, in Nardin, Oklahoma. Together they raised two sons, James Harmon, III (Keeli) and Martin Landis (Kara), and four grandchildren, Chloe, Whit, Stella and August.

Harmon was the first born of the late J. H. and Winnie Bob Smith. He is survived by his sisters, Carolyn Raffety (Mick) and Meredith Schweighart (Fred) and his brother, William (Bill) Smith (Betsy). His brother Tom B. Smith (Counts) predeceased him. He was the grandchild of the late James Levesque (Bex) and Louise Shaver and William Maurice and Clarah Smith.

A celebration of Harmon's life will be held on Saturday December 20, 2025, from noon until 2:00 pm at 10 CR 334, Birdeye, Arkansas. All of his family, friends, clients and members of the community and their children are welcome.

Memorials may be made to: The Dr. Harmon Smith Memorial Fund, a 501c(3) nonprofit, which will be used in Cross County for animal welfare through the fund started by Harmon's niece the late Dr. Julie Raffety Boone. Gifts can be made online at arcf.org/harmonsmith or mailed to Arkansas Community Foundation, 5 Allied Drive, Ste. 51110, Little Rock, AR 72202. Studio Drift, a 501c(3) nonprofit started by his son Martin that supports outdoor recreation tourism in the Arkansas Delta. Gifts can be made online at studiodriftar.org or mailed to Studio Drift, 120 South Izard Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Wynne Presbyterian Church. Gifts can be made online at wynnepresbyterian.org or mailed to Wynne Presbyterian Church, 1735 E. Poplar, Wynne, AR 72396.

You may sign an online guestbook at www.kernodlefh.com Kernodle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.