Obituary of James C. Smith

James Clarence “Sonny” Smith 95 James Clarence “Sonny” Smith, was born October 2, 1926, in Winter Haven, Florida, to James Thomas Smith and Opal Adkins Smith. He went to be with the lord on January 4, 2022. Sonny was a graduate of Winter Haven High School and lettered in four sports; including, football, basketball, baseball and track. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944, during World War II and served in the Pacific Theater until he was honorable discharged in 1946. Sonny met the love of his life, Bobbie at South Georgia College in Douglas, Georgia. Ironically, they were seated next to each other in Sunday Chapel and began a loving partnership of over 70 years. They moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Sonny completed his Architectural degree at Chicago Tech. After graduation in 1950, they moved back to Winter Haven and lived there for 72 years. Sonny worked for the J.T. Smith and Son Construction Company along with his father and brother Eddie. They specialized in custom built homes and believed that quality always came first. They added steel building construction in the late 1960’s and won numerous awards for excellence from Atlantic Building Systems. Sonny and Bobbie became Boston Red Sox fans when the team established their spring training headquarters in Winter Haven in 1966. They became good friends with a majority of the Red Sox players, coaches, and front office personnel. They were lifelong Florida Gator fans and season ticket holders. They were big believers in the head ball coach, Steve Spurrier. Sonny loved the game of golf and had the opportunity to play some of the world’s best courses. He played at the home of golf; The Old Course, Saint Andrews Links in Scotland. He also scored a hole-inu0002one on his home course, Lake Region Yacht and Country Club. Sonny and Bobbie loved to travel and dance. They visited over thirty countries, including the Great Wall of China and the Swiss Alps. He loved his lord and savior, Jesus Christ, his family, his country and always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he met. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Winter Haven. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of seventy years, Bobbie, his parents, J.T. and Opal Smith of Winter Haven, Florida, his brother, Eddie (Anna) of Winter Haven, Florida and sister, Jean Mannix (Mike) of Winter Haven, Florida. He is survived by sons, Tom of Winter Haven, Florida, Tim of Nashville, Tennessee and Tam of Deerfield Beach, Florida. Services will be held on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven. Address: 2425 Havendale Boulevard, Winter Haven, FL 33881. Visitation will be at 1:00pm with the service to follow at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to local Veterans. Make checks payable to: Frierson-Nichols American Legion Post 8, 300 Avenue M NW, Winter Haven, Florida 33881