James Garfield Smith, Jr.

Mr. James Garfield Smith, Jr., age 80, of Temple passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. He was born in Hogansville on October 27, 1944. Mr. Smith was the son of the late, James Garfield Smith, Sr. and the late, Emma Irene (Dunn) Smith. In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Tonya Lynn Smith; his infant sons, William Joseph Smith and James Russell Smith, and by his brothers, Eric Wayne Smith and Travis Smith.

Mr. Smith dedicated many years of his life working at Helms Brothers Well Boring Company in Villa Rica, where he became known for his strong work ethic and commitment to his craft. He was Master Mason and a member of Beulah Lodge #698 F&AM of Rockmart, serving as Worshipful Master in 1985. In his spare time, James enjoyed playing his guitar and was an avid firearms collector. Above all, Mr. Smith loved his friends and family, and he will be dearly missed.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and Andrew Preston of Dallas; his grandchildren and their spouses, Audrey and Joshua Power of Acworth, Garret and Morgan Preston of Castalian Springs, Tennessee, and Connor Preston and Emma Iwan-Preston of Marietta. Additionally, Mr. Smith was blessed with his great-grandchildren, Waylon, Dawson, Shiloh, Olive, Knightley, Bradan, Cross, Hadley, Magnolia, and a number of other relatives.

In accordance with Mr. Smith’s wishes, he will be cremated.

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Beulah Land Baptist Church Fellowship Hall (229 Pleasant Grove Rd, Rockmart, GA 30153) from 12 noon until 2 P.M.

Floral arrangements will be accepted and may be delivered to the Church Fellowship Hall beginning at 11 A.M.

Messages of condolence can be made to the family by signing the online Guestbook at www.croftfuneralhome.com .

Cremation services are being provided by Hutcheson-Croft Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Temple.