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- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 23 Jul 2001.
SMITH, JAMES ROBERT - 82, of Knoxville, passed away Tuesday July 17, 2001. A native Knoxvillian, Mr. Smith was the son of Washington Lee McKinley (Mack) Smith and Margaret Atchley Smith. He was a descendant of Thomas Atchley, a Revolutionary War soldier who settled in Sevier County in 1784. Smith's parents moved to Knoxville around 1900 and built a home on Island Home Ave. Mr. Smith graduated from Knoxville High School in 1938 and attended the University of TN. He was a member of the ROTC and First Lieutenant of Company "B". As Captain of the Rifle Team the National Rifle Association honored him as a Distinguished Rifleman. Staying close to his military roots, Mr. Smith volunteered for service during World War II, two months following Pearl Harbor. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps and received his commission and wings at Kirtland Air Base, Albuquerque, NM. After completing Bombardier Instructor School, he served as an Instructor in Bombardiering in Carlsbad, NM from 1943-1944. Mr. Smith was also triple rated as "Pilot-Navigator-Bombardier" and served at various airbases until his discharge in 1945. Following his military service, he returned to work at east Tennessee Packing Company where he began working summers while attending school. His work ethic was rewarded as he was elected Vice-President of the company and retired from that position in 1982 after 37 years of service. Mr. Smith was a member of the TN Society Sons of the Revolution, U.S. Army Air Corps Bombardiers, Inc., The military Order of the World Wars, Past President of the South Knoxville Optimist Club, member of several historic associations, one of the early members of Lake Forest Presbyterian Church, and a member of "First Families of TN through his Atchley family line. In additional to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by brothers, Clyde Smith, Earle Smith, and Carl Smith; sisters, Ruth McClanahan, Johni Vangilder, and Elizabeth DeFord. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Anne Lee Sprinkle Smith; daughter and son in law, Ginger Dianne Smith Wise and Oscar Bascom Wise; granddaughter, Lea Christian Wise; a sister, Mildred Pinkston. Many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Graveside inurnment services will be conducted Monday July 23, at 1 p.m. Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)693-2273.
- [S1] U. S. Social Security Death Index, 415-03-4346.
Issued in Tennessee, residing Kimberlin Heights, Knox County, Tennessee
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1919 - 2001 (82 years)