James Olin "Jim" Smith
James Olin "Jim" Smith, 74, of Apison, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2022.
Mr. Smith was born in Los Angeles, Ca., on July 27, 1948, the son of the late Otha Olin Smith and Cecile Watts Smith. He graduated from Autauga High School in Prattville, AL where he was on the football team and went on to play college baseball. Jim earned his nursing degree from Cleveland State Nursing School. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and later served 26 years in the United States Army as Major during the Gulf War. Jim retired from Memorial Hospital as a RN/FA Orthopedics after 26 years of service. He was a member of Ooltewah United Methodist Church. Jim loved his family and grandchildren. Jim was an avid AL and Atlanta Braves fan. He was an avid reader and enjoyed history and feeding his birds.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Rogers Smith, to whom he was married on Oct. 20, 1984; a son, Travis “TravMan” Smith; a daughter, Lauren Turpen (Kenny); two grandchildren, Molly and Nolan Turpen; and two sisters, Joan Shirley and Cele Duprel. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home with Rev. Dwight Kilbourne. Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.
Visitation will be held Monday from 11 a.m. until the service hour at Heritage Funeral Home.
Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tn. 38105 or Ronald McDonald House Charities 200 Central Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37403.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.