James Mathis Smith

Jim was born on October 1, 1934 in Port Lavaca, Texas to Clyde and Jimmie (Tippett) Smith. He was raised, in and around Burnett County, by his father Clyde Smith and his stepmother Maxine Smith. His siblings include C.J. Smith, Tima (Doris) Randolph, Margie Carnline, Johnny Shaffer , Mary Mitchell, and Michael Smith

He graduated from Burnet High School in 1953 and immediately joined the United States Air Force. In the spring of 1957, he enrolled at the University of Texas Austin to study to become an Aerodynamics Engineer. While at UT he met his wife of 55 years, Bertie Alice (Lovett) Smith. After graduation, Jim began a successful career as a respected Aerospace engineer. He worked a majority of his career at Vought Aerospace in Grand Prairie, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his wife Bertie Alice Smith, his youngest son Mathis (Matt) James Smith, his father Clyde J. Smith, mother Jimmie Tippett-Smith, stepmother Maxine Smith, brother CJ Smith, and sisters Ellen Laverne Smith, Doris (Tima) Randolph, and Mary Mitchell.

He is survived by sons Andy and David Smith, daughter Tina Huddleston, sons in-laws Doug Huddleston and Jeffery Reding, daughter in-law Suzy Geis, grand-daughter Lara Huddleston, brother Mike, sisters Margie and Johnny, and many nieces and nephews. James (Jim) Smith will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, friend, and colleague. He will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held for James at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Burnet on Saturday Jan. 6, 2024 at 1:00pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ClementsWilcoxBurnet.com for the Smith family.