James Leroy Smith, 71, of Jackson passed away Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Pinecrest Azalea Gardens near Oak Ridge.

He was born Aug. 1, 1941, in Cairo, Ill., son of Loren B. and Willa Mae Willard Smith.

Jim graduated from Cairo High School.

He was inducted into the United States Air Force on Aug. 7, 1959, and was honorably discharged Aug. 6, 1963.

He retired in 2009 and moved to Pinecrest to begin his last battle -- with cancer. He fought a valiant fight, always had a smile and a friendly word for all he met and who visited the gardens. He will be sorely missed by so many, young and old. He was a member of the American Legion.

Survivors include two loving daughters, Shelly Smith of Cape Girardeau and Stephanie (Shannon) Jackson of Whitewater; four wonderful grandchildren, Brooke and Brock Baugher and Emily and Sarah Jackson; two brothers, Charles (Trish) Smith of Cairo and Don (Lynda) Smith of Dennison, Texas; two sisters, Dorothy Duke of South Carolina and Naomi (Charles) Passinitino of Dennison; and two best friends, Carl Gene and Linda Penzel and their children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Loren and Harold Smith; and a sister, LuLu Jordan.

There is no visitation.

A graveside service will be at 5 p.m. Thursday at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau, with full military honors. The Rev. Sam Roethemeyer will officiate.

Cremation will be accorded by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Shelly Smith, 1632 Themis, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, to establish a memorial garden in Jim's memory at Pinecrest Azalea Gardens.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.