James Smith

James Perry Smith, Sr. lived a wonderful life. At the age of 79, he died peacefully in his home. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at the Pecan Grove Funeral Home 3124 Robinson Drive. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 1, at the funeral home.
Perry was born and raised in Hewitt, TX, where he graduated from Midway High. He enlisted in the Marines on May 1, 1956 and served this country with honor “Semper Fi”. He fell in love and married Patricia Ann Tiner March 17, 1956. He graduated from Baylor University in 1969, and then worked at TSTC as the Business Manager until retirement in 1997. Perry served the community of Hewitt 24 years for the Volunteer Fire Department at all levels.
He enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing, and taught these traits to his kids and grandkids. The outdoors were his playground.
His favorite past time was camping, and he relished the times he spent camping with his family and friends. He was a life time member of the Cotton Palace RV Club, which unofficially served as his second family.
There are many milestones and accomplishments Perry made during his lifetime. His greatest was his children and grandchildren. Perry graduated from Baylor while raising 4 children. These loving sons and daughters provided Perry 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He also proudly served the United States with Honor. All of this was accomplished with the love of his life, Patricia Ann, who stood by his side for 58 years.
He was preceded in death by parents Sam and Mae Smith of Hewitt, Tx.
He is survived by his bride of 58 years Patricia Ann Tiner Smith, his children Jim Smith and wife Karen, Susan Hughes and husband Rick, Dale Smith and wife Teresa, and Jani Rodriquez and husband Manny, brothers Billy Joe Smith and wife Betty, and Jerry Bob Smith and wife Donna; and sister-in-law Retha Tiner. He had many friends who loved him and will miss him greatly.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Patrick Smith, Trey Smith, Cobi Smith, Scott Williams, Wesley Hughes, Jeremy Hughes, Tommy Hughes, Casey Smith, Trent Smith, Tyler Rodriquez, and Cameron Rodriquez. Honorary pallbearers will be his coffee club friends at Shipley's Donuts in Woodway. The family wishes to thank all the friends and family for their generous outpouring of love and prayers.