James Smith

James Smith was the first born child of Madeleine and William Smith along with sister Margo and brother Roy, in New York City. As a young man he would work selling newspapers. He always had a dollar in his pocket: so much that he would lend his friends Lamar, Eddie, and Harold money...with interest!

 After completing his high school education at Harran High School in 1956, James decided to go into the Air Force where he worked in personnel. On October 20,1956, he married Thelma Winns, his sister Margo's best friend. Traveling the world for 26 years, he was stationed in Massachusetts, Maine, Arizona, Guam, Wyoming, England (where he earned his degree in finance), New York, and finally retiring in Texas.

Being closer to his daughter Yvonne and her husband Karl Coleman, along with his love for fishing and hunting brought him to Denver, Colorado. A good friend, Jim Howard informed him of a position in Civil Service at Lowery Air Force Base. Samuel achieved E6 rank and retired after 10 years.

In his retirement, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating with his 2 grandsons and traveling with his wife. In 2009, his grandson, Ryan blessed him with the true love of his life, his great-granddaughter, Mariyah Camacho-Coleman. During his retirement, he was able to help his family as well as with being very giving and charitable to his community.

James Smith is survived his daughter, Yvonne Coleman and grandsons Ryan James Coleman and Karl Nelson Coleman II; great granddaughter, Mariyah Camacho Coleman; his cousin, Christine Russel; sister-in-law, Teresa Harris; nephew, John Timothy Harris;  along with nieces and nephews Skyla, Starla, Roy, Tariq, and Lorna.

James Smith was a kind-hearted, caring, and giving person. With his faith in the Lord, we know that he’s in a great place now. 

We will truly miss him.