James Irving Smith, Jr.
1929-2021
James Irving Smith, Jr., died peacefully in his home on June 4, 2021. Born in 1929, to Mable Higgins Smith and James Irving Smith, Sr., Smith graduated from Sumner High School and attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where he was on the gymnastics team and pledged the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. An artist, Smith co-founded the Advo Sign Company (with fellow artist Walter Friday) in the 1950s-1960s. In 1968, Smith and his son, Seitu James Smith, III, both painted portraits of Black leaders on the St. Louis Wall of Respect. Smith was a caring and dedicated teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools for 35 years; he taught at Benton Elementary School before moving on to teach art at Beaumont High School for most of his career. He was an avid tennis player, who could often be seen on the tennis courts at Fairgrounds Park. In 1949, Smith married Joyce Harris Smith, who remained his sweetheart throughout their lives. Together, they raised six children. He was a true “family man”, whom his wife described as “good—a good man, a good person.” Smith’s wife, Joyce Harris Smith and his son, Seitu James Irving Smith, III, preceded him in death. He is survived by five of their six children, Dale Edwyna Smith, Karen Smith Pitts, Guy Smith, Jabari Asim, and Boyce Smith; twelve grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. A quiet man of deep humility and strength, he is deeply missed.
This Man was a role model for me. He was a smart deep thinker. I thoroughly enjoyed being around him. He was one of my teachers at Benton and my art teacher at Beaumont in the 70s. I would stand outside his classroom before and sometimes after class and talk. Sometimes he would give me riddles to figure out. I absolutely loved it. I remember one now I still haven’t figured out!😂 I even started calling him at home and visited him once. I told his Wife when I had visited that I thought he was on a genius level and I did. She laughed and said,”Genius”!🤷🏾 The last time I talked to him was in the 80s. He had loaned me a catalog for building speakers and I did build them. I still have them. I called him and asked if I could borrow a jigsaw,I believe,and could I cut my wood over to his house. Well he became upset and told me I could just borrow the tool,that he’ll just leave it at the door. I was devastated that he was upset. He didn’t know that I looked up to him as a father figure and being around him was an honor to me. I didn’t pick the tool up nor call him again. I finally decided to surprise him and looked him up a few years ago and sadly found out he had passed away. I should had stayed in contact with him and not let my emotions get in the way. RIP Mr Smith!💯 You were one of the smartest people I had ever been around and I still miss you!😢💖