James Harold Smith, Rabun County native, veteran of three wars, passed away at his home in Augusta, on March 22 at age 93. Born in Habersham County, Harold grew up on Wolf Creek Road. He was the son of Oscar Smith and Bessie (Taylor) Smith.
Following his graduation from Lakemont High School, he enlisted in the Army, serving as a military escort, assigned the duty of escorting fallen soldiers to their final resting place. At the end of his enlistment, he returned home to attend Piedmont College, and then later enlisting again for what would end up being a 30 year career with the Army Medical Corps, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic service in Vietnam.
Harold met and married his wife Carolyn in 1956 at Ft. Gordon, where she was serving as a U.S. Army nurse. They were married in the post chapel shortly before his deployment to Germany. At the end of her commission, Carolyn joined Harold in Germany, where their daughter Debra was born. Following their time in Germany, Harold was transferred to Valley Forge General Hospital and they settled in Kimberton, Pa., where sons Darryl and Dwayne were born, and they resided there until their retirement, returning to the Augusta area.
Harold loved sports, college basketball most of all. Although he spent many years away from his beloved Rabun County, he was a faithful reader of The Clayton Tribune, and kept informed events in the area by his dear cousin Wilma Smith Davis. He loved his mother’s cooking and He never lost his love of grits, cornbread, and biscuits with gravy and only last week he happily recounted a wonderful meal of southern cooking shared with his dear friends Dee and Earl Gambrell.
Harold was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn. He is survived by his daughter Debra (wife of Andy) of North East, Md.; sons Darryl of Flower Mound, Texas, and Dwayne (husband of Melissa) of Aurora, Col.; and grandchildren Kathryn Kay Wade, Drew Wade, Darcy Smith and Landry Smith.
Beck Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation was March 28, 2022, at Lakemont Baptist Church with service following. Burial was at Rabun Memory Park with full military honors.
The Clayton Tribune
March 31, 2022