James "Jim" Lynwood Smith

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Father, James “Jim, Jimmy” Lynwood Smith on June 19, 2025, at the age of 82. Jim was born on May 19, 1943 in Lineville Alabama to George and Christine Smith. He was the middle child of five kids and was close to all of them. In 1945 when he was two years old, Jim’s family moved to the Fort Walton Beach area and his father began working on the construction of the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin AFB. Jim grew up in Fort Walton Beach where his love for the outdoors and fishing was developed. He and his older brother Buddy made local news by driving up and down the beaches on a homemade beach buggy. They also caught a unique fish and received a “lifetime” membership to the Gulfarium when they donated it to them. He had lots of adventures and stories from growing up on the beach. He graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in 1961, leaving shortly after to begin attendance at Florida State University in Tallahassee. He studied Insurance at FSU graduating with a Bachelor’s in Business while also enrolling in Army ROTC. During this time in Tallahassee, he also met the girl he would eventually marry in Janice Maynard. Around this time, he also joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held various callings throughout his time in the church. After college graduation he was commissioned into the Army as a Second Lieutenant. Shortly thereafter he received orders to Korea where he served for a year in the demilitarized zone. After Korea he was assigned as the Executive then Commanding Officer of a training battalion at Fort Benning, GA. He then received orders to the Military Advisor Training Academy at Fort Bragg, NC prior to leaving for Vietnam. He served in Vietnam from October 1968 to September 1969 as the Battalion Commander of 3rd Battalion 33rd Regiment, 21st Infantry Division of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. After completing his tour of duty in Vietnam he was assigned to Fort Knox, KY serving as the Training Executive and Commanding Officer of an Armor Battalion. After a couple years at Fort Knox Jim was able to teach ROTC at Stetson University in Deland FL. While teaching ROTC he obtained his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Stetson. After four years in Deland his next and final duty station was Fort Polk LA where he served as the Logistics Officer for the 3rd Battalion of 77th Armor and then completed his Army service in 1977 after having served honorably for over 12 years. For this service he was recognized with numerous awards including the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation, National Defense Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, and the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon. He was also awarded the Combat Infantry and Parachutist Badges. Once he became a civilian, he moved back to Tallahassee to raise a family. He received his second Master’s Degree from FSU in Insurance and Risk and then worked for the Florida Department of Financial Services for over 30 years until his retirement in 2015. Raising his family in Tallahassee was filled with bass fishing, building playhouses, hunting, working on boats and fixing things. The only time he sat to watch TV was to check the score on an FSU or Atlanta Braves Baseball game. If there was no baseball to catch up on, he would change the channel to an old western and would then head back outside to work on his current project. He would drag home every forgotten boat or old lumber that he passed for a “project.” He was also known for a love of animals; to the delight of his children (and the chagrin of their mother) he would bring home every lost kitten, puppy and even a flying squirrel that he came across. Jim loved anything FSU and would always say that his favorite team was the Seminoles and his second favorite team was whoever was playing that “other team down in Hogtown.” Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father, George and Christine Smith, both his brothers Buddy and David, and his sister Jean Graves. He is survived by his four children: Anthea Fuller (George), Autumn Smith, Tim Smith (Cassie) and Afton Kern (Rusty); his six grandchildren: Lana Smith, Madison Smith, Jacob Smith, Scarlett Smith, Ayslin Kern, and Cambre Kern; his former wife Janice Maynard Smith and his older sister Jo Ann Elrod (Dave); his sister-in-law Becky Smith and brother-in-law Palmer Graves. He is also survived by a large extended family in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. Even though he was private about it, he was a man of deep faith and loved the Lord and made sure his kids knew. He always encouraged and supported his kids in everything they did. He was a jokester and a talker. He was artistic, creative and could build anything. He was also very loving and kind. The world is a little darker without his laugh and dad jokes. Jim will be laid to rest at the Tallahassee National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The committal service will be held at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Project: Vet Relief at www.projectvetrelief.org. Todd Wahlquist is assisting the family with their arrangements( 850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com).

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James "Jim" Lynwood Smith

May 19, 1943 - June 19, 2025