James Ernest Smith

04/14/1934 - 06/05/2026

James Ernest Smith, 92, passed away peacefully at his home in Auburn, Alabama on Friday, June 5, 2026. He was born on April 14, 1934, in Moore, Oklahoma to Lawrence Smith and Madge Harriger Smith.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Jerrye Ann King Smith, both his parents, and his sister, Twila Smith Griffin. He is survived by his daughters Kelly Smith Stokes (Joe), Kerry Smith Rush (Derwin), his son, Kip Wade Smith (Beth), his 7 grandchildren Galen Rush (Jaki), Gabrielle Rush Gaskill (Will), Camryn Stokes, Chandler Stokes, Alexandra Smith, Mckenzie Smith, and Isabelle Smith, his 6 great-grandchildren, Henleigh, Holly and Houston Rush, and Liam, Wesley and Wyatt Gaskill, and numerous nieces and nephews.

“Jimmy” as he was known in his younger years, grew up in Pampa, Texas, where he was active in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Jim graduated from Pampa High School in 1952 and from there attended and graduated from Texas Tech University in 1956 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. As an officer in the United States Air Force, his service relocations spanned more than 22 years across 7 different states and one overseas assignment. In 1975 he attended and graduated from the Air War College (Montgomery, AL), the senior Professional Military Education school of the U.S. Air Force. Upon his military retirement with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1979, and over the next years, Jim continued his defense contract specialization in the private sector.

In his many states of residence, Jim was an active member of the Disciples of Christ Christian Church and the United Methodist Church. Jim, a.k.a., “Grandpa” and “PaPa”, was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. Upon his final retirement, Jim and his wife enjoyed lake life on Smith Lake (Jasper, AL) where they frequently welcomed and entertained life-long friends, and most importantly to him, his family.

A memorial service is planned for 10:15AM Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T.org).