James W. “Jim” Smith passed from this world to enjoy his eternal home with Jesus on July 10, 2026. He was born on July 30, 1942 in Port Arthur, Texas to J. Harold and Jessie Smith.

He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1960. He was an Eagle Scout, served in the Air Force Reserves, and graduated from the University of Houston in 1966 with a degree in finance and economics.

He started his banking career in Houston, then moved to Abilene where he met and married the love of his life, Kay Elaine Cunningham, on May 31, 1969.

His 43-year banking career took him to wonderful places like Abilene, Graham, Caldwell, and Bryan/College Station where he and Kay raised their daughters and made many lifelong friends. He was a serial entrepreneur, starting Rides and More, Inc in the early 1980s which initially provided kiddie rides at local grocery stores and later to video games, rental properties, worm farms, and many ideas that never quite got off the runway. He finally settled into operating a ranch on old family property in Snook. He retired from banking in 2005 but continued to manage the ranch and dabble in one of his favorite past times of new business schemes to eliminate tax burdens.

Jim was raised in the Lutheran Church (pronounced “Lootrun”) and had membership at Methodist and Baptist churches along the way. He was a true servant to both church and town supporting and leading Boy Scouts, Lions Club, The Walk to Emmaus retreats, chambers of commerce, industrial foundations, little league associations and various other organizations. He was always ready to give anything he had if he thought it would further the Kingdom of God or improve the community where he lived. He was very generous with all he had which led to his most recent hobby of sorting through mountains of charity requests and writing letters asking them to STOP!

Everyone that knew him knew he loved to tell stories. If you had just a few minutes, it would be the most informative 3 hours of your day. You could walk away with an encyclopedic knowledge of such things as life in Port Arthur, Texas History and all his participating ancestors, World War II trivia, the Air Force days, hauling the Houston Cougar around the country, shenanigans and pranks at the bank, family history, his Indian bloodline, and so much more.

And just when the stories would wind down a bit, it was time to get something to eat with high hopes of a Blizzard afterwards. This would allow for more stories, but the Blizzard run usually got overruled. He was also up for playing games at a moment’s notice, especially 42. He had a natural ability to strategize and win most any game. He looked forward to going to Carter’s Burger and playing dominoes with old friends. And of course, this was all opportunity to tell more stories.

Legacy. This is what Jim Smith was really about. If you follow all the stories, church activities, family gatherings, land dealings, business schemes, etc., he desired to remember and honor those who went before him as a means to instill and inspire the next generation. This legacy he desired was for his family to love, to serve, to know Jesus as their Savior, and one day pass it all down their respective lines.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kay; daughter Kimberly Drake and husband Jack of Snook, TX, daughter Kellee Infantino and husband Mike of Tomball, TX; six grandchildren, Sterling Drake and wife McKaylee of Midland, TX, Channing Drake of Birmingham, AL, Cambring Drake of Birmingham, AL, Will Wooten and wife Sophia of Austin, TX, Walker Wooten and wife Serena of Tomball, TX, and Savannah Brister of Tomball, TX; two great grandsons Sage Wooten and Archie Wooten; brothers Robert Smith and wife Nancy of Austin, TX, Steve Cunningham and wife Sue of Plano, TX, Greg Cunningham and wife Nita of Hideaway, TX, sister Christy Williams and husband Bill of Pottsboro, TX; many nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J. Harold and Jessie Smith, and his older brother Hank.

Celebration of Life with Military Honors will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, 1:00 pm at Antioch Community Church (1803 Briarcrest Dr, Bryan, TX 77802) In lieu of traditional funeral attire, the family kindly requests that friends and family wear bright colors to honor and celebrate Jim's life.

Memorials may be made to Mobility Worldwide Brazos Valley, Brazos Valley Emmaus Community, Save Our Streets (SOS) Ministries, or the charity of the donor’s choice.