James Dores Smith

James Dores "J. D." Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Saturday, March 9, 2019, at the age of 92. J. D. was a husband, father, grandfather, patriot, community, church, and civic volunteer and gardener in all of which he took great pride. J. D. was preceded in death by his wife, Joan McGhee Smith, and first wife, Florence R. Smith, and sisters Margaret Danner, Lou Black, Betty Oney, and Judy Tucker. He is survived by his daughter Gayle Hart of Jacksonville, Florida, and stepson, Michael R. Montgomery of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Charles Scott Caffey, Russell James Caffey, Derek James Hart, Loren Michael Montgomery, and Katy Jean Montgomery and many great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. J. D. was born in Burleson, Texas, to James C. Smith and Ferrell Bond Smith, on December 24, 1926. He was graduated early from Stillwater High School in December 1943, and enlisted in the service of his country on January 31, 1944. He served in the United States Navy and achieved the rank of Torpedo Man First Class. During his service he was stationed in the South Pacific where he earned a campaign medal. He was honorably discharged from the navy in January 1946 and immediately began classes at the then-Oklahoma A & M University in Stillwater, OK, where he graduated with a degree in microbiology that served him well during a career at Borden that spanned 42 years. He was a long-time member of the VFW and the American Legion. When there was a need to work as a volunteer or to help raise funds, whether it was for veterans causes, Mark Twain Elementary School, Neighbors Along the Line, Folds of Honor, putting out campaign signs for political campaigns he supported, or putting hundreds of flags on veteran graves, J. D. was always ready with a helping hand. In testament to his many years of service, he received many honors including Legionaire of the Year for 2007-2008, Neighbors Along the Line Volunteer of the Year Award in May of 2017, and a playground structure at Mark Twain Elementary given the name Fort J. D. Smith in his honor. He was also an avid gardener, producing a huge garden each and every year as long as he was able. He supplied not only family and friends with fresh produce each summer but was known to carry baskets of tomatoes, okra, and onions to fire stations in the area. J. D. took his volunteer work very seriously as evidenced by his way of stepping in to organize any activity from a pancake breakfast to captaining the Meadow Gold entry in the Tulsa Great Raft Race in the 1980's. He required all of those participating to show up for rowing practice before they would be "qualified" to serve on the raft. J. D. never shirked from any task. J. D.'s daughter Gayle was Miss Southwestern State College in the Miss Oklahoma Pageant, and J. D. loved to tell the story of helping to make her dress for the evening gown competition. He was very proud of her achievements. Funeral services for J. D. Smith will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 15, at Grace United Methodist Church, 519 South 49th West Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

James Dores Smith

December 24, 1926 - March 9, 2019