James (Jimmy) Lafayette Smith was born on September 14, 1941, in Lampasas, Texas to John and Grace (Gholson) Smith. They moved to Artesia in 1945. He graduated from Artesia High School in 1959. 

James passed away peacefully Sunday, September 6, 2026, at his home, with his family.  His Celebration of Life services will be on Tuesday, September 22 at 10am at Terpening & Son. 

He met Diane Weaver and they were married May 6, 1966. They both worked at Artesia Plumbing & Heating and later purchased the business and owned it for 56 years before retiring.  They enjoyed lifetime together traveling, hunting and fishing.  Fishing was his favorite, so much so, they joined a bass couples fishing club and bought a lake house in Texas at O.H. Ivie Lake in Ballinger.  They lived their best lives with family and friends, at their lake house throughout the years. 

James was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Johnnie Guthrie and Betty Howell and his wife Diane.  He is survived by his children James (Jamey) Smith, Jr., Barbara Huitron & Jaime, and Cathy Smith, grandchildren Erika Riley, Jessika (Chloe) Komarek & Tim, Marlee Fry & Austin, Sabrina, Davian, and Sienna Ochoa, great grandchildren Alexys Murillo & Josh, Jace Murillo, River, Raiden and Winter Komarek, Mylee Perdoza, and Ryan and Alex Castellanos; Sister Mollie Petsonk and many nieces and nephews. 

He was the rock of our family and took great care of all of us.  He blessed us all.  He always joked about being an only child with three sisters.  He will be missed greatly and, in our hearts, forever.