James Hanford Smith's Obituary
James Hanford Smith, age 93, of Rogers passed away Sunday January 12, 2025, in Springdale. He was born August 14, 1931, in Big Flat, Arkansas, the son of John Henry and Fanny Jane (nee Sutterfield) Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, and (12) siblings.
He was a decorated Combat Veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. James and his Company ‘K’ received the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action in the War of the Outposts. James spoke of his highest military achievement as receiving his Combat Infantryman badge.
James remained silent of his wartime service for over 60 years.
In 2013, James attended the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and Commemoration of the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., which was his first personal, public acknowledgement of his military service.
After his time in the Army, James attended and graduated Arkansas State Teachers College, became an educator, and taught Mathematics and Industrial Arts at Northwest High School, House Springs, Missouri over 35 years.
James served humbly as a deacon and senior leader in Faith Community Church, House Springs, Missouri for over 50 years. In his service to his Lord and Our Savior, Jesus Christ, James used his retirement years to assist his elder brothers and sisters and their families through the challenges of later life, and to build several rural churches in both Africa and Mexico.
James was an expert woodworker in life, lovingly cutting, assembling and finishing fine furniture for his church and his family, and learning from His Savior, the Carpenter.
In his youth, James was known as ‘Sweetie’, where he enjoyed the many hundreds of square miles of wilderness in the vicinity of his childhood home, exploring with his youngest brother Benford Smith, and their dear friend Palmer Boyd. In late life, his family helped him to access many of these rugged places, to his great joy and amusement.
At age 89, James successfully completed canoeing the Lower Wilderness 28 miles of the Buffalo River. At age 90, James canoed Current River from Cedar Grove to Pulltite. Many afternoons were spent with his family exploring local creek bottoms in search of fossils, Native American arrowheads, and feathers.
He is survived by his wife Roberta L. (nee Horton) Smith; his daughter Sharon D. (nee Smith) Brinley and her husband Doug Brinley; brother Benford (Maxine) Smith and brother-in-law Travis (Louise) Horton.
Internment will be at the Fayetteville National Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to Circle of Life in memory of James Hanford Smith to support patient care and family services at Circle of Life, 901 Jones Road, Springdale AR 72762 or www.GiveToCircle.org
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