James William Smith

James William Smith, 83, of Farmington, died Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in Farmington. He was born February 13, 1928 in Winchell, Texas to Thomas Dewey Smith and Thelma Beatrice Means Smith. As a very young man, James spent his summers at his grandparents farm in Brooksmith, TX. He remembered those days all his life, and the love he had for his Granddad and "Manna Means, Uncle Buck, Orman and his aunts. James was baptized at the age of ten in 1938 at Mt. View Methodist church, south near Winchell, TX. James graduated from Coleman High School in Coleman, Texas in 1946. He married Wanda Faye Thompson on June 13, 1948 and they were married for 63 years. James, Wanda and their two young sons, Phil and Brent, moved to Farmington on January 1st, 1959 with his employer, Brannon & Murray Drilling Co. When his employer moved back to Texas, the family decided to stay in Farmington. James worked for Aztec Oil & Gas Co. as a pumper and later with Southland Royalty Co. where he was promoted to Production Superintendent. Southland sold to Meridian Oil and the name changed later to Burlington Resources. He remained as production Superintendent until he retired December 1st, 1990. He was a quiet, loving and kind man and loved his family with all his heart. One of the happiest times of his life was the arrival of his two sons, Phil in 1950 and Brent in 1952. Another special event was the arrivals of his three very special grandchildren, Farhon, Tamara and Rhett. A special person in his life was his son, Phil��?�s wife, Lorena. James became very active with the local baseball program with his two young sons and coached from little league through Connie Mac. This was a very special time of his life. He also loved fishing and later on had a house boat at Lake Powell. He and Wanda spent vacations and days off from work there. They were fun days. With the arrival of the three grandchildren, he enjoyed taking them camping and fishing at Navajo (another special time of his life). Upon retirement, James bought a motor home and he and Wanda became "snow birds and spent the winter months in Las Vegas, NV. He especially enjoyed his many "snow bird friends. He remained very active until an illness struck him hard six months ago. He was in Las Vegas at the time and was in a hospital "setting until he was air-lifted home by San Juan Regional Medical Airplane on May 25th. He spent his last six weeks at his home as he requested. James was preceded in death by his son Brent, his parents, his father and mother-in-law, Art and Ola Thompson, his brother-in-law, James L. Billingsle, his sister, Tommie Elizabeth Billingsley, his grandparents, William Rufus Means and Hattie Jane Means, Joseph Truehart Smith and Tommie Elizabeth Cole Smith. James is survived by his loving wife, Wanda, son, Phil (Lorena) three grandchildren, Farhon Smith, Tamara Smith-Rahn (Tyler) and Rhett Smith (Abbey); a great grandson, Corvin Brock Smith, sister, Genie Miller (Joel) of Big Springs, TX and sister-in-law, Vonda Buck (Foy Jack) of Abilene, TX as well as 3 nieces, 5 nephews and 5 cousins. Memorial services for James will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at Brewer, Lee & Larkin Chapel with Pastor Joel Miller. Inurnment will follow at Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the American Red Cross or Heart or Cancer Research in care of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY James is in the care of Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute Street, Farmington, (505) 325-8688