Clyde "C.J." James Smith Jr.

Shreveport, La. - Clyde James Smith, Jr., one of the “greatest generation” also known as “papa” went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 10, 2012. C.J. was born in Briceland, La. on September 9, 1919, to Clyde James Smith, Sr. and Laura Towns Smith.

Arrangements are under the direction of Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, La. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Sunday, February 12, 2012. The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Monday, February 13, 2012 at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Centuries Memorial Cemetery.

C.J. was an active member of Cypress Springs Baptist Church at Sailes, La. One of the great joys of his life was attending services at Cypress Springs with friends and family. He was baptized in 1935 at Cypress Springs by Bro. Cox

He was a 32nd degree mason with the Scottish Rite and a member of the Queensboro Lodge in Shreveport. C.J. proudly served his country in the first draft of World War II, beginning in June, 1942. He was a Sergeant in the 79th Infantry Division and landed on Omaha Beach D Day plus 6. C.J. was a gunner on an Anti Tank Gun. He served three years and nine months in the U.S. Army and discharged on September 28, 1945. C.J. was wounded at a drive on Cherbourg. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for exemplary conduct in ground combat.

He returned to employment at the Trolley Company in Shreveport where he was employed for seventeen years. Later he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and retired after thirty years.

C.J. is survived by his loving and devoted wife of seventy years, Thelma Winko Smith; one son, Clyde James Smith, III and wife Mary of Phoenix, Arizona; one granddaughter, Jeannie Acker of Savannah, Georgia; one grandson, C.J. Smith, IV and wife Olivia of Phoenix, Arizona; a great grandson, Cody Jameson Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; two grandchildren, Lydia and Benton Redman of Phoenix, Arizona, and great granddaughter, Amber Acker.

He is also survived by four brothers and three sisters: Jimmie C. Smith and wife Betty of Dallas, Texas; Albert Sidney Smith of Bossier City, La.; Rudolph Smith and wife June of Bossier City, La.; Anna Laurie McCleish and husband Dolph of Monroe, La.; Sue Becton Goodnight and husband Bill of Sterlington, La.; Gloria S. Bramlett and husband Alvin of Arcadia, La.; Donald Barry Smith and wife Barbara of Arcadia, La.; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are C.J.’s nephews: Todd Smith, Gary Bramlett, Barry Becton, Mike McCleish, Ken Smith, David Smith, Greg Smith, Scott Smith, Marty Conner and Joey Hooker.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. John C. Hardin, III for his loving care and friendship, and also to St. Josephs Hospice and Aleta Atteridge for their care for C.J. during these last few weeks.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at 4899 Belfort Rd. Ste., Jacksonville, FL 32256 or woundedwarriorproject.org.