Junior J. Smith, age 81 of Harrison, passed away Friday, March 27, 2009 at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison.

The son of John Ferdinand and Christina (Kramer) Smith, he was born Aug. 30, 1927 at Urbana, Iowa.

He had lived here since 1971 moving here from Phoenix, AZ. He
attended the Mary Mother of God Catholic Church and was a carpenter. He served during WWII in the USMC and was superintendent for Patriot Builders.

Junior grew up on the farm and also enjoyed woodworking. In later years, he enjoyed going to the Moose Lodge, dancing and attending the Singles Group, playing Dominoes and Parcheese.
One particular thing he enjoyed was having a big 4th of July celebration at his home for his family and friends. Junior especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and taking them to the Moose Lodge for various activities.

His wife, Arlene Smith preceded him in death along with one daughter, Jennifer Hardman; four grandsons, Rusty, Dusty, Jeremy and Michael; one great grandchild, Savannah; two brothers, Don and Paul Smith; sisters, Kate Smith, Rosie Takes, Bernadine Hepker, and Mellie Peters.

Surviving are his sons, Michael Smith and wife, Thelma, Junior Joe Smith, Jr. both of Harrison, and James Edward Usher; daughters,
Dianna Waters and husband, Richard of Jasper, Nancy Kee and husband, Jess of Harrison, Cathy Mullins and husband, Virgil of Blue Grass, Iowa, Kathy Weaver of Clovis, New Mexico, Barbara Ramer and husband, Steve of Bergman and Tina Farmer and husband, Tim also of Bergman; one brother, Robert H. Smith of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; one sister, Madonna Roseberry and husband, Leo of Urbana, Iowa and mother in law Doris Cooper of Harrison; 31 grandchildren; 51 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation was Monday, March 30, 2009 with the service Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery with Leo Dye and Kenneth Crow officiating.

Pallbearers were Tony Pruitt, Bo Ramsey, J.R. Hodges, Dustin Waters, Michael Smith, Jr., Johnny F. Smith, Keith and Jamie Morgan, Tony Tovey, Heath McFarlan, and Andrew Goodall. Honorary pallbearers were Main Street Medical Clinic and Nurses of NARMC.

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com.

J.J. Smith and I worked together for over 30 years, beginning in Harrison and continuing through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana. During this time, he directed and supervised more than 1,000 projects.
J.J. had many talents and characteristics. He was honest, unselfish, and quality craftsman with multi-craft ability. Determined to meet deadlines, he always saw that the projects were completed on time.
He was protective of his honor, his friends, and especially his family. He was a family man, and loved to be with his wife Arlene who would travel with him. I could ramble all day about our times together and the memories that I treasure for which I am eternally grateful.

One short story that I remember was the time about 20 years ago that he hired a man to work on a job in Northwest Arkansas. He had worked for another company as a Superintendent, and was jealous of J.J. and wanted his job. The man called me and said that J.J. was loafing on the job sleeping late and not paying attention. He said he thought J.J. was drinking too much, sometimes on the job. I drove to the job and told J.J. what was said, and then confronted the man. I told him that I had known J.J. for about 20 years, and had known the new man for less that a week. I asked him who he thought I should believe. I also told him that the only time J.J. would take a drink was New Years Eve, when we would toast to celebrate another year together, and he would usually not finish his drink. I suggested the man let us know how he liked his next job, and sent him home.

J.J. was a friend and confidant. A few years ago he said he would have to retire due to his health condition, but we stayed friends and occasionally got together for visits.
I treasure my friendship with J.J. and Arlene and the whole Smith family.
Respectfully submitted,
Joe E. Kunkel