James Paxton Smith passed away peacefully on the evening of April 26th with the love of his life Sherry and his family by his side. He was born in Memphis Tennessee to Barbaranelle Paxton and James Rose Smith of Paducah, KY on December 3rd, 1931. Pete, as his friends knew him, is survived by his wife of 30 years Sherry Smith, and the sister he never had, Elizabeth (Libbie) Vollmer of Boynton Beach. Children Barbara Anne Malone of Boynton Beach, Marcia (Mar Mar) LeFlair (Ricky) of Key West, James Colby Smith (Melissa) of Gore, VA, and extended family Debbie Grant, James Driscoll (Liz), Rob Driscoll, Tracey Driscoll Leach (Jamie), Riley Chapin (Bradley Jimenez) of Boynton and Elizabeth (Lisa) Bullett (Charles) of San Francisco.

Grandchildren Robert (Robbie), Jonathan, Daniel, Savannah, and Samantha. Also, great grandchildren Jack, James, and Colby.

Pete was predeceased by his daughter Susan Ruth in 2016 and his younger brother William Percy Paxton Smith (Bubba) in 2010.

Pete loved his high school years at Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana and graduated in 1949.  He attended NC State, participating in the ROTC and graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in textile engineering.

Following NC State, Pete served in the US Army as a commissioned officer reaching the rank of Second Lieutenant.  He continued to serve in the Army Reserves while working in the family business, The Claussner Hosiery Company, in Paducah, KY as a sales representative.

Upon the family selling the company, he moved on to own a seat on The New York Stock Exchange specializing in odd-lot sales.  In 1976 Pete moved to Quail Ridge in Boynton Beach and worked in the insurance industry until retirement.

Throughout his whole life, Pete was an avid golfer consistently working to keep his handicap low.  He was successful at shooting below his age on a regular basis.  Christmas was Pete's favorite holiday; he believed the decorations were never complete without at least eight to twelve Christmas trees inside and outside their home.  He was dedicated to living his life to the highest standard in the eyes of God and was a celebrant at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church in Boynton Beach.  Pete was a lifelong friend to many including his childhood friends from Paducah, his Culver Classmates, the Vero 9 and the Saturday morning golf group affectionally named "The Scallywags".

Military Honor services will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, 12:30PM at South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 State Road 7/ 441, Lake Worth, FL 33449 in Lane #1.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to Trustbridge Hospice at Bethesda Hospital East or First Tee Ponte Vedra Beach, FL .