James Franklin Smith

James (Jim) Franklin Smith, a loving husband, father, and PaPa, passed away on December 31, 2023 at the age of 83 years old in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

He was born in St. Peter, Illinois on January 4th, 1940 to Arthur and Corrine (Katherine) Turner-Smith. He was a graduate of Harlingen High School, then attended Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, receiving his degree in Mortuary Science. Soon after graduation he moved to Brownsville, Texas and worked as a Funeral Director and Mortician. He married the love of his life, Charla, of 49 years, on November 24, 1974 in Brownsville, Texas. After welcoming his daughter into the world, a few years later he moved his family to Gallup, New Mexico. There he worked as a Manager of Navajo Feed Store, opened his own business, and Managed Ellis Tanner Trading Co. Feed Store. Following his granddaughters birth, he and his wife moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. He worked there as a mortician at Grahams Funeral Services for a stint, then putting his skills to use as a hobbyist carpenter he repaired and flipped homes. Finishing his career with Lowe’s Home Improvement Center, he made many dear friends

Jim was a devoted family man. He loved helping others. He was the number one fan of the Dallas Cowboys, as he was a proud owner of 50 yard line season tickets in the 60’s. He also resided near a few players in Dallas and got to know them well. He worked at Parkland Hospital in Dallas in 1963 and recounted his remarkable story often as a witness to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

As a skilled carpenter he was more than happy to build beautiful furniture pieces for his friends and family. He was a brainiac who loved watching Jeopardy and solving Crossword Puzzles everyday after work. He was loved dearly by many as he never met a stranger. He had a joke for every occasion and always carried a smile to pass on to others. His daughter fondly said that, “God broke the mold when he made my dad.”

He is predeceased by his father Wilson Arthur Smith, his mother Corrine (Katherine) Faye Turner-Smith, his sister Wray Smith-Griggs, brother-in-law Chuck Griggs, brother Gene Smith, nephew George Griggs, sister-in-law Joan Charles and brother-in-law Gye Charles.

Jim is survived by his wife Charla Smith, his daughter Joanie Smith, his granddaughter Kayla Sparks, his grandson Kasen Sparks, his niece Deborah Kuplin, his nephew namesake James Russell (Jimmy) Charles, two step children: Chuck Brown and Recarla Brown, nieces: Connie, Rebecca, JoJo, Kellie, Vera, nephews: Claud Olen, Gabriel, and namesake James Mat.

Jim requested that he be cremated and his ashes spread by his family in the Gulf at South Padre Island, Texas.