James A. Smith Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James A. Smith, 74 of Lakeport, Florida passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Jim, as he was known by friends and family was born on June 27, 1947 in Bradenton, Florida to the late John “Tater” Capers Smith and Lillian Grace Harris Smith. Jim was extremely proud of being a “5th” generation Floridian and traced those family roots through both his parents’ hometowns of Micanopy and Bradenton, Florida. He was born and raised in Bradenton, Florida and graduated from Manatee High School in 1965. He continued his education at the University of Florida where he received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1971. Upon graduation from college, he worked for the national CPA firm of Deliotte Haskins & Sells in Miami, Florida. Jim then joined Rooney Enterprises, Inc. in 1973 where he worked for over 20 years as Assistant Controller, Treasurer, and finally as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer along with being a member of the Board of Directors. In 1996, he moved to Lakeport, Florida where he served the community as Executive Director of the Economic Council of Okeechobee and later as Glades County Manager. He served as a past member of the Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department in addition to Lake Search and Rescue. He was a proud member of the University of Florida Alumni. He was a long-standing member of the Glades County Fish & Game Club. Jim was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, air boating and running swamp buggies especially in the Everglades as well as on Lake Okeechobee and surrounding areas. He loved working outside, landscaping, lawn work and puttering with 2 cycle engines along with other equipment. Jim was an advocate for Florida wildlife in addition to having a special place in his heart for numerous dogs and cats he rescued. However, the most important thing to him was his family and spending time with them. Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 plus years, Carol L. Smith, of Lakeport, Florida; sons, Chad Smith (Kimberly), of Dunedin, Florida, Chris Smith (Jessica), of Sebring, Florida, Travis Smith (Leslie), of Lakeport, Florida; daughter, Stefanie Garrett (Jack), of Clewiston, Florida; as well as eight grandchildren, Amanda, Kelsey, Clayton, Mason, Kaiden, Brantley, Braelyn and Makinley. The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Glades Education Foundation P.O. Box 443, Moore Haven, FL 33471 and/or The Caloosa Humane Society P.O. Box 2337, LaBelle, FL 33975 A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Lakeport Community Center. Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.

James A. Smith

June 27, 1947 - June 14, 2022

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