Arizona Obituary Archive

Search      Post Obituary


James Louis Smith

Posted 2009-04-24 by Pat R
Wickenburg (AZ) Sun
Wednesday, January 2, 2008, p A-10

James Louis Smith, Jr, age 82, passed away Dec 25 at his home in Wickenburg.

Jim was born in Cross Village, Mich, where he was raised and attended school. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served for more than 20 years and was stationed in various locations throughout the world. He served two tours in Vietnam.

He was the artist of the original "Puff the Magic Dragon" painted on the nose of a fighter plane during the Vietnam War and referred to in several movies. He retired in 1968 from the Air Force. Shortly there after he began working for Magma Copper Co. in San Manuel, Ariz, for 12 years, retiring in 1986.

Jim was a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians in the Great Lakes, Mich, area. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Jim came to Wickenburg in 1990. He enjoyed Western art and oil painting, sculpting as well as wood carving. Jim had been very active with Alcoholics Anonymous in providing care and support for others, and he recently received his 40-year chip as a member of the organization.

Jim is survived by sons David, James and Garth all of Mesa, Ariz; daughter Rebecca Healy of Holbrook, Ariz; brother Owen Smith of Mt Pleasant, Mich; grandchildren Roberta Hyneman, Walter Rawls IV, Grant Smith, Abbey Smith, Scotty Smith, Elijah Sherman-Smith; and great-grandchildren Rachel Jordan Hyneman, Walter Gray Rawls V, Logan Ray Rawls; former wife and friend Lavinia Barbara Smith.

Service day and time are pending. For more information contact Wickenburg Funeral Home at 684-2081.




Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.

Questions About This Project?