James Sheldon Smith Sr. - beloved husband, father, son, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in Lagarto, Texas on December 28, 2025. James was born November 17, 1939 and attended Catholic schools in Corpus Christi, Texas and Texas A&I College in Kingsville. After college, he worked for the Texas Highway Department in their lab collecting core samples. He worked for Texaco Oil Co. for 10+ years before starting his own company, Marine Oil Service where he and his two sons supplied oil to the ships that came into port. While starting a business, he worked at Champlin Refinery; now Citgo Refinery. James worked until retirement at both.

James was a member of Masonic Lodge #189 and a 32 degree Mason. James and Lee started traveling in their RV and went to almost all the states, Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. They did a 15-day tour of Europe, went to Jamaica, Costa Rica and Mexico. The last 8 summers of their travels were spent in the mountains of Colorado. Here lee continued to work two days a week as a nurse in the recovery room in Colorado Springs. They slowed down and returned to South Texas living in a cottage that James, his father and sons built.

James loved to dance but working in his yard was his favorite thing. You could often see him planting and out in the yard.

He was an active member of Lighthouse Faith Fellowship Church in Lagarto, Texas. After a short illness and emergency surgery, James returned home on hospice care. Here he passed away peacefully with Lee by his side.

James is preceded in death by his parents and dear brother, Robert Smith.

James leaves behind with cherished memories his beloved wife of 40 years, Alverna "Lee" Dewing Smith of Lagarto, Sandia Texas; two sons, James S. Smith Jr. (Tammy) of Goliad, Texas, and Mark A. Smith (Linda) of Corpus Christi, Texas, step-daughter, Lisa J. Marks of Grand Marais, Michigan; step-son, Major General Steven M. Marks (Myra) United States Army; three siblings, Tommy of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Jeanie Kanapkey (Wayne) of San Antonio, Texas; sister in-law, Patti J. Dewing of Rolla, Missouri; nine grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

James will be cremated and interment will be at a later date in Rolla, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Lagarto Community Club scholarship fund.

Largarto Community Club

P.O. BOX 1012

Orange Grove, Texas 78372