Past Grand Commander’s Profile

Unto God give the glory!

James P. Smith

Spouse:   Lady Paula
Home Commandery:   Ascension No. 25
Year Served:   2003
Died:   November 30th, -0001

2003 Officer Corps

Sir Knight James P. SmithRight Eminent Grand Commander
Sir Knight James N. HigdonVery Eminent Deputy Grand Commander
Sir Knight Lawrence E. TuckerEminent Grand Generalissimo
Sir Knight A. Glen McCandlessEminent Grand Captain General
Sir Knight Thomas W. SnyderEminent Grand Senior Warden
Sir Knight William E. MatyastikEminent Grand Junior Warden
Sir Knight Howard M. McFarlandEminent Grand Prelate
Sir Knight Jerry N. KirbyEminent Grand Treasurer
Sir Knight Loyd L. ChanceEminent Grand Recorder
Sir Knight Dock F. DixonEminent Grand Standard Bearer
Sir Knight W. David MelearEminent Grand Sword Bearer
Sir Knight Paul E. WunscheEminent Grand Warder
Sir Knight H. David MooreEminent Grand Sentinel

Biography not available.

Obituary

James Preston Smith, 84, of Gladewater, was born April 7, 1937, to Wes and Lena Lucille McKellar Smith and passed from this life July 5, 2021, surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 10, 2021, at McWhorter Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. James Ritter, John Andrews, and Lisa Martin, officiating. The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm prior to the service.

James married Paula Ann Jones, June 4, 1971, in Marshall, Texas. He acquired his RN, BSN, and MBA and retired after 46 years. He was a past Worshipful Master of AF & AM #852 in Gladewater, Texas. James was a Shriner, Potentate in 1994 Shrine Temple in Tyler and later became the Grand Commander of the York Rite Grand Commandry of Texas from 2003-2004. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite of Waco, Texas. James was a member of Pritchett Church of Christ.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Paula Smith; daughters, Dena Mayfield and her husband, Ricky, Mary Ann Tant and her husband, Chuck, and Sandra Thur and her husband, Marc; son in law, Bennie Richardson; sister, Martha Dell Smith; brother, Neal Griffin; and by 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kelly Richardson; and by his brothers, Larry Smith and Sonny Womble.