James Thomas Smith

James Thomas Smith, affectionately called "Tommy", died Monday January 11, 2016 at age 91, at the Embracing Hospice in Snellville following a brief illness. He leaves his wife of 67 years, Gloria Bennett Smith; his sons, Stephen Smith and Gary Smith and their wives; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and many close friends. Born in Flippen, GA, the son of William T. Smith and Della Cowan Smith, he moved to Atlanta in 1947. Mr. Smith worked for Lanham Machinery Co. as Vice President of Operations from 1953 until his retirement in1985. Following retirement from Lanham, he continued to do work for Baking Technology Systems in Tucker, GA until his death. Mr. Smith served in the Army active service between February1945 and December 1946. He was stationed in Tokyo, Japan during the year following the end of the war as member of the Army of Occupation. Mr. Smith was an extremely talented and knowledgeable man. He could repair cars, fix plumbing problems, renovate a kitchen, build an addition to a house, do landscaping and many other practical and necessary activities. Most of all, he loved his family. He had a quick wit, a jovial manner and always had a good story to tell. His children and grandchildren enjoyed being with him, playing games, having picnics, attending Georgia Tech football games and much more. He and his wife traveled worldwide after he retired. They enjoyed a home in Sky Lake, in Sautee, GA during the summer months where he worked in the yard and worked constantly on the house. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members at First Baptist Church of Atlanta where they attended Sunday school and worshiped since 1992. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 15 at 1:30 pm in the chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons, followed by burial at Arlington Memorial Park in Atlanta. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 on Thursday, January 14 at A.S Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 North Decatur Road, Decatur, Ga.



Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033