J.B. Smith, 99, formerly of Garland, Tx died peacefully after a brief illness on Monday, January 18, 2021 in San Angelo, Tx where he had been a resident at Brayden Park Assisted Living and Memory Care for several years.

Born November 30, 1921, in Gouldbusk, Coleman County, Texas to Milton Joshua and Cora Ellison Smith.  He grew up in South Coleman County, attending Hardin School and graduating from Mozelle High School in 1939.

Following high school, he went to Dallas and worked for North American Aviation as a sheet metal worker prior to the war.   While at North American, he met his life long love, Roberta Lucille Strain.  They married November 07, 1942, in Rockwall County, Texas.

J.B. served in the United States Army, Company A, 319th Infantry Regiment, EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN from May 1944 until March 1946.  He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he received while engaging German fortifications southeast of Bastogne near Wallendorf, Germany on February 14, 1945.

After the war, J.B. and his young family returned to Coleman County, TX as a farmer rancher.  He later returned to the Dallas area and went to work as a aviation mechanic until his retirement in 1980 from Braniff Airways.  He and Roberta raised their family in Garland, TX.

J.B. and Roberta enjoyed traveling with family and friends.  J.B. also enjoyed hunting and tinkering with various projects around their home.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Milton "Buck" and Cora Ellison Smith, wife, Roberta Strain Smith, a brother, Monroe Milton Smith, sisters, Lenora Cox, Irene Van Pelt, and Corene Smith, daughter, Rita Ann Geter, and granddaughter, Elena Garretson Stennis.

He leaves behind daughter Pamela Means (Doug) of Dallas; son, Jay Smith (Claire) of Doole; brother-in-law, Weldon Strain (Mitzi) of Cross Plains, TX; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives.

A Graveside Military Service will be held at 10:00am Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow – Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 North Central Express Way, Allen, Texas 75013  Exit 38, Ridgeview Dr. J.B.'s service will be officiated by The Rev. Andrew Van Kirk, Rector, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, McKinney, Tx.  Online condolences may be made to https://www.allenfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials/donations be made to  St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Building Fund;  Angels Home Health, San Angelo, TX; Kindred Hospice, San Angelo, TX; Alzhiemer's Foundation;  Dementia Society of America or your favorite Charity or Church Building Fund.

For your health and the health of others please wear a mask and social distance.