James David Smith, Jr.

James David Smith, Jr. passed from this life on Friday, November 22, 2014 at his home in Cleveland, TX 4 days short of his 82nd birthday.Family visitation will be at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home on Tuesday November 25 from 6:30-8:30pm. Services will be Wednesday November 26 at 2pm at Calvary Baptist Church in Cleveland followed by interment at Ryan Cemetery. Officiating is Rev. Glen Pearce (son-in-law) and Pastor Carl Williamson.JD was born to James David Smith Sr. and Annie Mae Parker Smith in Romayor, TX on November 26, 1932. He was a graduated of Cleveland High School as well as DeVry Institute and MIT. JD served in the United States Amphibious Navy from June 16, 1950 November 23, 1953. During the Korean War he served on the USS Montrose. He retired from Texas Chemical (previously Jefferson Chemical) in Conroe where he was an electrician. He and Rachel then traveled with the Texas Baptist Men building churches and various facilities in Canada & other pioneering areas.JD married the love of his life, Rachel Lee Rushing, February 6, 1954 and they were married for almost 61 years. He was a member The American Legion as well as the Cleveland VFW Memorial Post 1839 from 1998-2014 where he served as Chaplin and was also a life member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. JD was an active charter member of Calvary Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School Discipleship Classes, literally teaching the Cornerstone Class the Sunday before his death. He loved fishing, hunting, and playing music. He taught himself to play the guitar, banjo, mandolin, electric guitar, fiddle, ukulele, upright bass and the dobro.He was known by many as PawPaw, whose pockets always had a supply of dum-dum suckers for all the kids.JD was preceded in death by his parents and brothers- Jerry and Kenneth Smith.He is survived by his wife Rachel of Cleveland; three daughters-Dianne Smith of Cleveland, Jerry Pearce and husband Glen of Iowa Park, TX Debbie Clark and husband James of Cleveland; three sons-David and wife Janice of Cleveland, Leeland Smith of Cleveland, Dwayne and wife Terry of Tulsa, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren- Daniel Clark, Brad Pearce, Sabrina McKnight, Steven Smith, Regina Clark, Christian Powell, Lindsey Smith, Annie Smith, Sarah Smith, Jonathan Hughes, Gracie Smith; and twelve great-grandchildren-Caitlin, Eli, Josylin, Brooklin, Addison, Davis, Pearce, Parker, Porter, Avree, Garrett and Chase; one brother- Jimmy Smith of Kilgore, TX; and many beloved nieces, nephews, sisters and brother-in-laws, and friends.If desired, memorial donations can be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Missions Offering at Calvary Baptist Church Cleveland in lieu of flowers.