The greatest man I have ever known

by Jason Myrl Smith

James Burdette Smith was born on July 20, 1941, to Wilbur and Dorothy Smith in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Jim left this earth to be with his Lord and Savior on July 12, 2026.

Jim grew up in Stillwater during what he often remembered as the golden era of our nation. He enjoyed the simple joys of life—dragging Main Street in hot rods, fishing trips, and spending time with the girl who would become the love of his life, Judith Gray.

After graduating high school, Jim followed in his father’s footsteps and answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. He served on active duty from 1959 to 1961 and continued serving in the Navy Reserves for another four years finishing his service in 1965 with a DD-214 Honorable Discharge. During his time in the Navy, Petty Officer Smith was assigned the important responsibility of packing parachutes for standard jumps and fighter jets.

Jim once shared that after packing a chute, he was required to sign the safety tag with his own name. If something went wrong, they would know who was responsible. He described the weight of knowing that someone’s life was in his hands at such a young age. Looking back, it is clear that responsibility helped shape and prepare Jim for the remarkable leader, mentor, and protector he would become.

After completing his service to his country, Jim returned home to live the American dream with the only person he could imagine sharing it with—his high school sweetheart, Judith Gray. In letters home, he called her “Judy,” and in one letter to his mother, he shared that he planned to ask Judy to marry him because, in his words, “I sure like that girl a lot.”

On August 24, 1962, Jim and Judith began their life together, and they never looked back. Their marriage became the foundation of a family built on love, faith, service, and commitment.

In 1965, Jim joined the Stillwater Fire Department, beginning a distinguished 29-year career dedicated to serving his community. Through hard work, integrity, and leadership, he rose through the ranks and ultimately served as Chief of the Stillwater Fire Department.

After retiring from the fire department, Jim continued his passion for the fire service by joining Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training Division, where he spent another 14 years teaching generations of firefighters how to do their job safely and, most importantly, how to return home to their families.

To list each professional accomplishment would take much longer than this tribute allows. Jim was a born leader. Throughout his life, he rose to leadership positions in nearly every organization he served, including the Stillwater Fire Department, the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association, the Stillwater Bass Masters, and even his local Water Board. Whether he was serving as Chief, President, Chair, or simply as a mentor, leadership naturally found him. Jim Smith led from the front.

Jim lived a life that truly represented the American dream. One of his favorite sayings was, “Go out and make a difference in someone’s life.” Those words were not just something he said, they were how he lived. He made a difference in countless lives.

He mentored generations of firefighters, public safety professionals, family members, and friends. But his greatest pride and greatest legacy came from being a husband and a father. Nothing mattered more to him than raising his three sons and helping shape them into the men they became.

Jim poured his wisdom, work ethic, and leadership into Lance, Loren, and Jason. Today, each of his sons carries forward the lessons he taught them. Lance became a business owner and builder, Loren serves in a key leadership role with the City of Stillwater Electric Utility, and Jason became Chief of Police. Through Jim’s guidance, each of them learned to climb life’s ladder one rung at a time, reaching the highest levels of their professions without fear of falling; Why you ask?

Because they knew that if they ever fell, they would be okay. They could trust the foundation their father built beneath them. They could look at the parachute’s safety tag and know the name written there would always be:

“James B. Smith.”

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Dorothy Smith, and many lifelong friends who shared in the incredible journey of his life.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Judith; his three sons, Lance with wife Elizabeth, Loren with wife Jennifer, and Jason with wife LouAnn; his grandchildren, Megan Lienemann, Karlyn Smith, Taylor Smith, and Adelyn Smith; his great-grandchildren, Axel Lienemann, Layne Lienemann, and Kleah Oyebadejo; and two great-grandchildren on the way, Jensen Burdette Smith and Jason Russell Smith.

Jim is also survived by his siblings, Billy Smith, Becky Masoner with husband Frank, Bobby Smith with wife Kennie, and sister-in-law Patricia Gray along with a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Jim Smith lived a life of service, leadership, faith, and love. He made a difference in countless lives, and his legacy will continue through the many people he inspired.

Rest now Chief, we have the watch from here. We know in our hearts our separation is temporary and that you will go find all the good fishing spots in heaven with Uncle Bruce, Kenny, Don, and so many others who have gone before you.

“‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.’”

— Matthew 25:23