James Kirby Smith

James Kirby Smith, affectionately known as Jimmy, 75, of Niceville, Florida, completed his final infantry march into the gates of heaven on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.  He was born in Aschaffenburg, Germany to James Edward Smith and Adelheid Hedwieg Smith.  After joining the United States Army and completing Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training, he served in South Korea on the DMZ during the Cold War, and later served at various United States Army bases.  He was a kind, Christian man with a jovial spirit, very cooperative, artistic, gifted in visual presentation, a historical and geographical genius, and a Sixties Rock music, Country music and Blues Expert.  His favorite activity was traveling, especially to Disney World, Military installations and Military museums.  He was loved and respected by all of his many friends and neighbors.

He is survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Heidi and Mike Ferguson of Niceville, Florida and Rosamay and Keith Stewart of Muskogee, Oklahoma; nieces and nephew, Carolyn Ferguson Holligan, Nicole Stewart Otterbine, and Jon Stewart; and great-nieces and great-nephew, Kamerin Holligan, Emory Otterbine, Ember Otterbine and Axios Otterbine.  He was preceded in death by his parents, James Edward Smith and Adelheid Hedwieg Smith.

His service will be held at Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery, Madison, Mississippi with full military honors.  He was extremely well taken care of by the Gentiva Hospice team, so much so, that he said they made him feel like a king; thank you Raquel, Kelsie, Kathleen, Rachel and Annie.