Jim “Horse Collar” Smith, age 101, US Marine Veteran in the 1st Raider Bn on Guadalcanal in 1942, passed away January 3, 2022, at The Gardens in Fairfax, VA. Horse was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. He enlisted in Marines in 1939. He was awarded the Silver and Gold Stars for action on Tulagi & Guadalcanal and the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in the Battle of Bloody Ridge (now Edson’s Ridge). After WWII, Horse had a distinguished career as a Foreign Service officer.
Surviving Jim are his wife, Carole, his children Kevin (USMC), Maggie, Deirdre, Chris, Patrice, a large family of nieces, nephews, and grandchildren who will miss him dearly.
A visitation for James will be held Friday, January 28, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Demaine Fairfax Funeral Home, 10565 Main St, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, January 29, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St Leo the Great Catholic Church, 3700 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, Virginia 22030.
