James Hugh Smith, Jr.

James Hugh Smith, Jr’s life was not defined by start and stop dates, 12/13/48 and 6/10/24 respectively, but by all the dates that fall in between. The most life-changing date was November 1967 when he took Elizabeth E Swiger on a blind date to the library. They were married 12/19/1970. During their 53.5 years of marriage, their family grew to include children James Smith III, Heather Foxworthy, and Rachel Plate, and 8 grandchildren Tyde, Trent, Quai, Xyander, Jason, Kenneth, Gideon, and Serenity, all of whom currently live in Alaska.

Jim loved nature, gardening, cooking, and hunting- values instilled in him by his parents James and Leona Gaye Smith while growing up in rural Pennsylvania. Jim proudly served his country for 20 years 9 months in the United States Air Force, retiring as an E8 SMSGT including favorite duty stations in Lowry, CO, Kadena Okinawa, Japan, Eielson AFB, AK, and as station chief at Whiteman AFB, MO. He continued service to his community with 20 years in the National Weather Service. His love for Jesus permeated all aspects of life which led him to becoming ordained with the Southern Baptist Convention January 1990 in North Pole, AK, ordained by the Assembly of God church in 1996, and later licensed by the Georgia Assemblies of God November of 2013. His favorite two ministry opportunities were preaching revival services June 2013 in Ukraine and ministering in Georgia prisons since 2011, primarily through Kairos. He was greatly respected and will be missed by his sisters Brenda Lindsay and Debora Smith of Pennsylvania, Virginia Rehnert of West Virgina, Margaret Velodota of Georgia, 9 nieces and nephews, and an uncountable number of friends who became family.

If you would like to honor the life and legacy of James, hire a felon, support a missionary, and teach a kid to fish.

A funeral service will be held 12:30 noon Monday, June 17, 2024 at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel, 7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406.

Interment will be held at Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Glennville, Georgia.