James Smith

James (Jim) A. Smith of Hickory, North Carolina passed away at the age of 89 after suffering a stroke. Jim died peacefully on July 23, 2023 with his loving wife, Linda, and family by his side.

Jim was born in Knoxdale, Pennsylvania on April 5, 1934, to George and Grace Smith. The oldest of four children, Jim graduated from Marienville High School and went on to study aircraft maintenance at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. There, he began his lifelong love of serving his community by fixing broken things.

Jim began his 50-plus year career in aviation when he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served our country as an airplane mechanic. While serving in the Air Force, Jim’s first child, Heidi, was born. After serving our country, Jim joined American Airlines in 1959 as an airplane mechanic. In the years that followed, Jim’s sons, Kenneth and Jacob were born. In 1978, Jim married the love of his life, Linda. At that time, sons John and Brian joined the family.

Jim’s desire to advance in the field of aviation and his commitment to provide the utmost for his family led him to go back to school. After working all day for American Airlines, Jim attended Texas Wesleyan University at night and attained a bachelor’s degree in management in 1975.

By all accounts, Jim’s career in aviation was rewarding and exciting. During his 31 years at American Airlines, Jim and his family lived in several places, but spent the majority of Jim’s career living in Dallas, Texas. By the time Jim retired from American Airlines, he was an Assistant Vice President of Maintenance. After his retirement from American Airlines in 1990, Jim relocated with his family to Herndon, Virginia and became Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering with World Airways.

In 1998, Jim retired from full time work, but continued as an aviation consultant. He and Linda returned to Jim’s birthplace in Western Pennsylvania and built a home on 22 acres that sat atop a high hill, affectionately called Smith Mountain by his family. There, Jim rediscovered his love of hunting, fishing and playing cards with family and friends. Jim also began to volunteer at the Salvation Army in hopes he could somehow repay the charity given to him and his family during his childhood when Jim’s father was injured and unable to work.

In 2014, he relocated to Hickory, North Carolina and moved into a home on Lake Hickory. Jim and Linda settled into “lake life” and welcomed the opportunity to host family and friends. A mechanic through and through, Jim continued to repair anything and everything he deemed to be broken and proudly served in the Ruritan Club of Bethlehem. Jim and Linda also enjoyed many fun nights of bingo and fellowship with friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William Smith, sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Miller and Emma (Jean) Fiscus, daughter Heidi Bauer, and granddaughter Heather McLaughlin. He is survived by his wife, Linda Smith, children Kenneth Smith, Jacob Smith, John (Jennifer) Smith and Brian (Rebecca) Smith as well as nine cherished grandchildren, six adored great grandchildren, his beloved German Shepard Maggie, and countless people who loved and were loved by Jim as if he were their own father and grandfather.

Services will be held August 12, 2023 at Jenkins Funeral Home, 4081 Startown Rd., Newton, NC 28658. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM. A reception following the service will be at the Hickory Elk’s Lodge, 356 Main Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601.

In lieu of flowers, people wishing to honor Jim’s lifelong commitment to family, community and helping others can make donations to the Salvation Army by clicking here .