James F. Smith (Jim) of Madison, Alabama, formerly of Warrensburg, Missouri died in his sleep on the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Jim graduated from Warrensburg High School in 1958 and attended Central Missouri State University.

On June 2, 1963, Jim married Linda (Sue) Best, at the Chapel on the campus of Central Missouri State University. They were married for 36 years until Sue’s passing on April 17, 2000.

Jim started working for the Missouri Highway Department in 1960. However, in 1962, Jim left the Missouri Highway Department to work has an Instrument Man for Allied Shaffer and Morrison Hardeman Perini and Levell. In 1962, Jim worked for the Missouri Public Service Company has a Substation Man. In 1965, Jim sold insurance for Prudential Insurance. In 1967, Jim worked for Labor Local #1125. In 1968, Jim went back to work for the Missouri Highway Department has an inspector until he retired on Aug. 1, 1997 with 30 years of service.

After retiring from the Missouri Highway Department, Jim worked a couple of years for Fischer Concrete, Warrensburg, MO.

Jim never met a stranger and enjoyed socializing with everyone. Jim enjoyed collecting cowboy and Indian memorabilia, antiquing, watching football; especially the UCM Mules, Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Tigers. Jim enjoyed attending auctions, has well has watching and collecting movies. Jim loved being with friends and his grandchildren.

In 2013, Jim moved to Madison to be closer to his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Melissa Johnson and husband, Randall, of Madison, Alabama; a brother-in-law, Thomas Best and wife, Kristen, of Glasglow, Missouri; a nephew, Michael Best and wife Cathy, of Mesa, Arizona; two nieces; Gwendolyn DeSilva, of Seoul, South Korea; Amanda Kate Haes, of Columbia Missouri; a grandson, Ethan Johnson, of Madison; and a granddaughter, Charlotte Johnson, of Madison.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Sue.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, 617 N Maguire Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093. Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 5, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to your favorite charity or organization in honor of James Smith and leave it in care of the funeral home.