James Smith

I did not share a condolence after Jimmy passed on from this life. A year has passed now, and as I collect my thoughts I want to share the loss I feel still today. Jimmy was a unique friend in every sense of the word. He was such fun to be around, he kept John and me laughing as we played cards on Sunday nights, and he had an amazing mind. The things he could recall were incredible. I was looking recently at a Glen Campbell book he bought for me when he went to the Glen Campbell concert with us. I listen to his "The First Time" album that he and Tommy Harris did when they toured as "The Rovin' Singers," and their music together was awesome. I now have it on a CD and listen to it in my car often. It makes me feel close to him again. His good friend, Joe, and I talk about him often about the emptiness we feel with him gone from our lives. Jimmy, you won't be forgotten, and one day John and I will join you and Connie, and we will have an eternity to share together. Will you sing "Mariah" for me then? I could never get you to do it here! Love you and miss you, my friend.

Having not grown up a Sandite from Sand Springs I did not become acquainted with Jimmy until several years ago through the Class of “60� reunions. It was not hard to become Jimmy’s friend. He was a very generous, intelligent, funny, and talented person. My wife and I enjoyed a trip to Cabo with Jimmy as well as many evenings of playing cards with him at our house. I’m already missing the lunch and pool games we shared at MaGoo’s as well as our card games and pickin sessions. Jimmy had a great memory and could converse in depth about Music, Military, Health, Water Quality, and much more. He was very talented on the guitar and singing. I’m still working on licks he was trying to teach me. Hang in there Jimmy, I’ll get it one of these days…I enjoyed our time together. I only wish we would have met sooner and had more time together. God bless you my Friend.

How do you say good-bye to a dear friend that meant so much? Jimmy taught me so many things. He and his wife, Connie, had the strongest love I have ever seen. Even while Jim was engaged in the tough battle of fighting cancer, he put that aside so that he could care for Connie, who was fighting her own battle with ALS. I often thought that God must know how strong these two were...how else could you explain what challenges they were both facing? I told Jimmy that he was defying death because of the love he had for his wife. His response was that he had to stay alive, she needed him and he had to take care of her. And he did. He did with all the love that one man could have for a woman. I am blessed and honored to have had their friendship. I will cherish the memories I have of the two of them together...now as when I met them. In the last 2 1/2 years, I grew close to a man who decided not to let cancer get in the way of what he wanted to do. He so loved life, with a zest rarely seen. He was stubborn and head-strong, but also gentle and kind . He could tell stories! He told them with such emotion, with furious rage or a gentle sparkle in his eyes. When around Jimmy, you were entertained! Thank you, Jimmy. Thank you for loving me and being my friend. Thank you for showing me a friendship so unique, so rare, and so beautiful. My love follows you to where you are...in paradise, with your precious wife, and most probably picking a guitar and mesmerizing the heavens! I love you, Jimmy.....and I will miss you. Until we meet again....

Just wanted to share this last thing with you. When Jim and I were singing together, we closed our shows for several years with a song entitled "Tone The Bell Easy." It didn't take long for me to realize that the words fit Jim exactly. I don't remember who wrote it, but the words go: When you hear that I am dying and my song, it should be sung - Just say I lived the way I pleased and spoke with a free man's tongue. So when they fit me to the stone and close my grassy cell, I don't want no crying on mhy grave, just ring that charmin' bell. Tone the bell easy, tone it all around. Tone the bell easy, when they lay my body down. Rest in peace, my old friend. Consider the bell well toned.

I met Jimmy in 1960 while serving in the US Army in Germany. He was a good soldier and a good friend. His Army call sign was 6 Tango. After the service, we stayed in touch through Christmas cards and so on. In 1968, we met Connie while they were on a trip to CA. Thereafter, we re-united in Lawton OK in 1988 where Jimmy was working, and our son had graduated from basic training. Over the last few years, we had the pleasure of traveling and vacationing with Jimmy and Connie to Colorado Springs, Branson, Eureka Springs, Florida, Hilton Head, and the Caribbean. We will miss him deeply, but take solice in the fact he is once again with his beloved Connie, and they are both at peace and in a better place. R I P 6T, you will be missed.

So sad that a part of the special Army buddies is gone. Glad to have spent some time with Jimmy and Connie as they visited our home when passing through NC. Wish I had heard more of his singing and guitar playing. He fought cancer valiantly for a long time, but now he is free from that suffering. Don't really know any of his family, but sending sincere sympathy to them.

My life will be a little more empty now that Jim has gone to that big stage in Heaven. He was a major part of my life in the 14 years we sang together as The Rovin' Singers. And then after years of not knowing where each other was, we were able to reconnect and pick up our friendship like nothing had ever happened. I'd like to think we brought a little happiness and fun into people's lives when we performed for them. Now, it's only on You Tube that we'll be able to do that again. Thanx for being a big part of my life, Little Jimmy Smith. You were the brother I never had. Phyllis and I will think of you every day. And we'll have an ice cream cone from Doumar's in your memory.