James Millard Smith

James Millard Smith, 94, passed away Thursday, February 16, 2017 in Tulsa. James was born November 16, 1922 to James Pipkin and Dorothy (Craddock) Smith in Norfolk, VA.

James graduated from Narbonne High School in Harbor City, CA. He then attended Occidental College for two years transferring to UCLA earning a bachelor's degree.

He married Georgia Francis Colter on February 28, 1946 at Wilshire Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, CA.

He enlist into the U.S. Navy in WW II so he would not be drafted. He worked as a Navy Yeoman in the Port Hueneme offices and was sent overseas to the South Pacific.

James worked as an Accountant for Peerless Pumps, FMC and Indianhead for 35 years in the Los Angeles area. He received a promotion in 1970 as a comptroller which moved him to Indianapolis, IN. In 1989 he retired at the age of 67.

James loved raising chickens and gathering eggs as a young child. He always wore a ball cap to church. James was continuously staying busy doing odds and ends. He loved to watch football and read the newspaper. He loved playing scrabble with his late wife. He was a very hard worker. He enjoyed mowing his lawn and was known as a handyman. He taught the Bethel Bible series for several years.

James is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Georgia Francis (Colter) Smith, who passed away May 12, 2004; brother, Jack Dunn; great granddaughter, Gabriella "Gabby" Dunn. James was the oldest of five siblings: surviving by Betty Crippen and her husband, Johnny of Southern California; Cathleen Powell and her husband, George "Jeep" of Oregon; and Paul Dunn of Dallas, TX. Also surviving are three children: Charlene Dunn and her husband, Jerry of Sperry, OK; Steven Smith and his wife, Shelley of Albuquerque, NM; Melinda Stone and her husband, Steven of San Antonio, TX and ten grandchildren; twenty eight great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Friends are invited to come between 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at Schaudt's Tulsa Funeral Service & Cremation Care in Tulsa, OK to greet the family and give their condolences. A Funeral Service will be held 10:00 AM, Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Tulsa Christian Fellowship in Tulsa, OK with Bill Sullivan officiating. Graveside Services will be held 10:00 AM, on Friday, February 24, 2017 at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN.