James Joseph Smith, 90, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Consulate Health Care on June 29, 2016.
He is survived by his two sons, Gregory and David Smith; grandson Douglas Smith; granddaughter Cheryl Eakes; and great-grandson Tristan.
He was preceded in death by his wife Wilma Elizabeth and three sons, Donald, Douglas and Mark.
Born in Alton, Ill. on Sept. 25, 1925, to William Arnett Smith and Elizabeth [Bettie Mary Reis] Smith the family relocated with their infant son to Evansville, Ind., where Smith was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and attended Reitz Memorial High School.
He enlisted in the U. S. Navy on the 6th of April 1943. He then attended Newbury Collage as a cadet before being attached to Admiral William Halsey’s Pacific fleet aboard the USS Attu CVE 102. After the war, he and Wilma married at St Benedict’s Church on Sept. 6, 1947.
Smith began his plastering contractor’s business under the name of Dura-Stone Co. while in Evansville before relocating family and business to Vero Beach in 1956.
Responding to recessionary construction pressures of the early 70’s his plastering business was phased out as he successfully ventured into an unexpected interest – that of numismatics. J & W (Jim and Wilma) Rare Coins was born.
Notwithstanding his need to provide for his family, Smith’s true vocation began some 60 years ago with an appreciation of the Japanese art of bonsai, “plantings in tray.” As it turned out the coin business was but the last stepping stone to the realization of a man’s dream resulting in a legacy that will be admired, appreciated and studied for generations. Smith has been instrumental in the development and advancement of the art of bonsai internationally. His creations are on perpetual display at Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce.
The family requests that donations be made to the Heathcote Botanical Gardens for the continuing support of the James J. Smith Bonsai Gallery, a testament of appreciation to a man and his life’s work. A public memorial will be held at Heathcote at a future date.
An online guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.