James Travers Smith, known as Jim or “JT,” passed away suddenly on Friday, December 1, 2023. The oldest of eight, Jim was born and raised in Hawthorne, New Jersey, where he went to trade school before moving to Northern Virginia in the late 1960s. He bounced around several companies before breaking off on his own and moving to Fluvanna, where he lived until his passing. For 51 years, he served the central Virginia community through his business “Jim Smith Heating and Air Conditioning” and was a master of his trade. He proudly stood behind his work and had just recently completed a replacement job for a customer he had originally worked with almost 30 years ago! He never gave anything but his best and was always a fierce advocate for teaching his customers and guiding them, often for free, when they needed assistance. He was still working up to his passing. Jim was also well known for his love of animals, including his turtle, Snappy, that he found at Lake Monticello in 1986. Snappy outlived the owner of the house where he was found and is still alive today.
Jim is preceded in death by his loving parents, James Uriah and Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Smith, and his oldest sister, Sherry, who passed earlier this year. He leaves behind his wife of almost 35 years (January 31st), Erlinda “Lynda” Smith, and his only daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and David Smith, whom he loved with all his heart and who miss him beyond measure. He also leaves his six remaining siblings, Randy, Laurie, Christy, KC, John, and Billy.
A celebration of life will be announced and held at a later date. Please consider donating to https://www.gofundme.com/f/james-travers-jim-smith to help with final expenses.