COL (Ret) James Andrew Smith, Jr.

James was born on December 28, 1959, in Cleveland, MS, the son of James Andrew Smith, Sr. and Alex Lim Clark. He married Nilsa Bruno on September 22, 1984, in St. Louis, MO.

James began a military career in 1977 as an enlisted Soldier, commissioning in 1982 through the Illinois Army National Guard Officer Candidate School. He spent his early years as a young Officer in the 3rd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment based in East St. Louis. James managed the East St. Louis Armory and became respected as a member of the Illinois Army National Guard. He served in various staff and leadership positions before taking command of the Co. C, 3/130th Infantry based in Salem. After company command, he served as the 33rd Infantry Brigade’s assistant S-3, then Commander of the brigade’s headquarters company and finally as the brigade S-2. In 1995, he served as the Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 131st Infantry Regiment based in Joliet and in 1998 he served as an operations and training officer at the Illinois Army National Guard headquarters in Springfield. In 1999, he was appointed Commander of the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago. After two years in command, he was transferred to the 33rd ASG, where he would help coordinate the unit’s response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

In 2003, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (G-1) where he played an integral role in preparing the Illinois Army National Guard units for deployment to Iraq and then Afghanistan before being appointed as the Illinois Army National Guard Chief of Staff, a position from which he retired in 2008. He was then appointed as the Illinois Department of Military Affairs Chief of Staff that same year where his successes continued.

James was proud of being an Infantry Officer, a devout Catholic, and an unwavering St. Louis Cardinals fan. He was an advocate and served as Executive Director for the Lincoln’s Challenge Academy. He was also actively involved with the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, the Illinois State Military Museum, the National Guard Association of Illinois, and most of all, the Soldiers and Airmen of the Illinois National Guard and their families. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, camping, and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his wife, Nilsa Smith of Chatham; one son, Samuel Smith of Charlotte, NC; his mother, Alex Lim Clark of St. Louis, MO; five siblings, Reginald (wife, Yvonne) Smith, Reba Smith, and Ericka Smith, all of St. Louis, MO, Denise Hampton of Horn Lake, MS, and Rebecca (husband, Stevie) Smith-Bowen of St. Louis, MO; and beloved dog, Timber.

Cremation will be provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies.

Graveside Ceremony: 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 3, 2022, at Camp Butler National Cemetery with Chaplain Maurice Rochelle officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the Department of Defense.

The family will host a Celebration of Life from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the VFW, 2211 Old Jacksonville Rd., Springfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Illinois Military Trust Fund for Lincoln’s Challenge Academy in the name of James A. Smith, Jr. COL (Ret), Department of Military Affairs Attn: Comptroller 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd, Springfield, Illinois 62702-2399, or Illinois Military Trust Fund for Illinois Military Museum in the name of James A. Smith, Jr. COL (Ret), Department of Military Affairs Attn: Comptroller 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd, Springfield, Illinois 62702-2399.