James I. Smith

Weighing in at 12 pounds, James I. “Jim” Smith came into this world on October 4, 1931, born on a farm in Stokes County. As the third of five children born to the late Ernest and Lois Meadows Smith, Jim always joked that he spent his life "right in the middle of something." He took great pride in his birthday being "10-4," the radio sign that a message has been received and understood. To those who knew him, that date perfectly reflected his outlook on life: he was always listening, always understood what needed doing, and was always ready to help.

Jim was born to be on a farm. In the 1940s, his father built the first “Grade A” Dairy in Stokes County, where they milked nearly forty cows with electric milkers. It was during this time that Jim and his older brother, Bob, raised their first registered Jersey as a 4-H project, a memory that stayed with him throughout his life.

It was also during these early years that he earned his lifelong nickname. On his fourth birthday, Jim was cutting wood on his dad’s farm with a brand-new birthday axe. He was chopping on a tree that the farm hand thought was too big for him, and suggested to Jim try a smaller tree. Jim set his axe down and informed the man, “My dad hired you to work, not to tell me what to do.” The man replied, “Yes, Captain!” Though Jim later admitted his father would have "tanned his hinny" for such backtalk, the name stuck. Later shortened to “Cap’n” it became his identity.

In 1951, Jim joined the U.S. Navy to serve his country. During his four years of service, Jim was stationed in San Diego on the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, where he served as the elevator operator for planes headed to the flight deck. He returned to North Carolina to marry the love of his life, Nancy Stone. They were married on February 28, 1953, in Winston Salem, NC. Sadly, after four years of service, in 1955 Jim enrolled at State College (NCSU). He spent 40 hours a week working at the college dairy and bull barn where Dr. Fred Knott was his boss. After graduating with honors in Dairy Husbandry in 1959, he began his 25-year long career with the NC Department of Agriculture, where he worked as the Livestock Superintendent at John Umstead Hospital in Butner. In 1969, he was promoted to Farm Manager where he managed a 13,000-acre farm; overseeing all poultry, swine, dairy, beef and forestry responsibilities.

In 1970, Jim started his own farm, JANASTCI, where he raised Angus and Gelbvieh cattle and grew his herd to 120. As his farm grew, so did his passion for the cattle industry. He became a leader among cattlemen in North Carolina. He served as the President of the North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association, the NC Angus Association, the GelbviehAssociation, and the Holstein Association. Throughout his career, he served on numerous boards and was honored with inductions into the Angus Hall of Fame, the NCSU Animal Science Hall of Fame, and the NC State Fair Hall of Fame. With Nancy by his side, they endowed scholarships at NCSU and for the Special Needs Dairy Show at the NC State Fair.

Jim’s commitment to his community ran deep. Over the years, he served as a consultant to local farmers, helped start seven Earthen Roasts across North Carolina, and was a dedicated member of the Jim Smith Society. He shared his leadership with the next generation as the Scout Master for Troop 648, and perhaps most remarkably, he never missed a year at the North Carolina State Fair, supporting the Dairy Show for 71 consecutive years.

Above all his professional success, Jim was a man of faith. He was a loyal member of Enon Baptist Church, where he deeply cherished his church family and often said, "There’s no place like Enon."

Jim and Nancy were married for 66 years. When Nancy went to be with the Lord on April 30, 2019, a part of Jim went with her. Though he remained with us, he looked forward to the day they would be reunited. Whether you knew him as James, Cap’n, Smitty, JI, Jim, Snuffy, Daddy, Grandpa, or Great-Grandpa; it cannot be denied that he was a pillar in his community. His knowledge, advice, devotion and his hilarious dry sense of humor will be forever missed.

Jim is predeceased by his wife Nancy, his sister Betty Lou Shelton and two brothers Frank and Bob Smith. He is survived by a son Stephen Smith (Rose); a daughter Cindy Smith (Joe-significant other); Granddaughter Dannielle Rice (Aaron), three great-grandchildren Alex, Will & Gabbi Rice; one sister Brenda James; caregiver and great niece Jessica James; three nieces, four nephews, six great nieces, five great nephews, ten great-great nieces, ten great-great nephews and one great-great-great nephew.

Rest in peace, our dear friend, until we meet again.

The family is being served by Gentry-Newell & Vaughan of 503 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.

"Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:23