James Charles Smith Jr

James Charles Smith (aka Charles, or JC) was born in Meridian, Mississippi on March 15, 1936, to Jack and Bessie O James.

JC grew up in Mississippi where he enjoyed the adventure of outdoor life. He loved wildlife, fishing, hunting, and riding horses. He loved looking for arrowheads, shark teeth, and special rocks to collect.

He loved good music, played the guitar and harmonica, had a beautiful voice, and loved singing in church with his wife. One of his favorite hymns was “In the Garden”. He also loved to sing to his children and grandchildren songs such as “I Gave My Love a Cherry”, and “There’s a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea”.

JC came to know the Lord, Jesus Christ, as his Savior, as a teen, and served Him until the day the Lord called him home. He was not ashamed to share the Gospel of Christ. He served in church as a song leader, Sunday School teacher, and Deacon.

JC married his wife Doris Yvette Scarbrough on July 15, 1954. She was his childhood sweetheart, and she became his beautiful bride, the love of his life, and his best friend. JC and Doris had three children, and they have years of sweet memories they will treasure forever. JC and Doris were married 70 precious years.

JC served in the US Marine Corp from 1954 – 1956. He was a rifle instructor and was stationed at Paris Island and spent time at a base in Puerto Rico. He was a true and Patriotic American.

JC loved reading and learning. He took many college classes from Meridian Jr. College, receiving an associate’s degree, and continued in many more classes throughout the years.

JC worked many jobs, becoming a jack of all trades.

He was a firefighter with the Meridian Mississippi Fire Department, then worked for and retired from the US Postal Service in 1982. After retiring from the Postal Service, he and Doris moved to Colorado where their daughter lived. In Grand Junction, Colorado, he started a pre-sort mail company, and after he sold it, he worked in Vail, Colorado as manager of maintenance at Vail Run Resort.

JC dearly loved and enjoyed the Colorado mountains, and found the adventure of hunting, fishing, and riding horses again, but his favorite outdoor love was gold panning! He even taught his grandchildren how to pan for gold.

Having a southern heart, he returned to Mississippi for a short while and then in 2018 he and Doris returned to Grand Junction, Colorado to be near their children and grandchildren. Yes, even in their 80’s they were taking great grandchildren to the park and even sliding with them. During these “Pappaw” years, he gained a love of writing. He wrote several children’s books that were published.

JC fell ill on October 3, 2024, and was hospitalized. The Lord carried him home on October 20, 2024. We miss him and yet we know he is the happiest ever, and we know the Lord has promised we will see him soon.

JC was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Carmen E. James Shrove, and sister, Virginia.

JC is survived by his wife, Doris Y. Smith, and his three children: Debbie (Daniel) Bonnell, Sheila (David) Vann, and his son, James (Sandie) Smith; his grandchildren: Marian (Jay) Peek, James (Rebekka) Smith, Jessica (Simon) Fick, Jennifer (Ward) Studt, Sheena (Thomas) Lange, Matthew Bonnell, Aaron Vann, Lyle Vann; his great grandchildren: Cody, Ethan, Avery, Aniah, Ward, Camdyn, Peyton, Landriee, Titus, Jael, Rylee, Boomer, Luna; and his Great great grandson Kieran.

JC is a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Service Information

Services will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Grand Junction, Colorado, October 29, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. and The Grand Junction, Colorado VA Cemetery ceremony to follow at 1:00 p.m.

*Flowers should be sent to Emmanuel Baptist Church*

October 29, 2024
11:00 a.m.
Emmanuel Baptist Church
395 31 5/8 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 434-7300

1:00 p.m.
Veterans Cemetery
2830 Riverside Pkwy
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Dinner after the VA Cemetery ceremony for everyone at the Emmanuel Baptist Church.