James R (Bob) Smith, age 68, died yesterday at Cape Canaveral Hospital after a 4 year battle with cancer

Mr. Smith is survived by a wife, Anita, 2 children: James R. Smith Jr and Tania with her husband Bob Barbeito,. He also leaves behind 2 grandchildren, Dustin Fisher and Hunter Smith with Hunters mother Darcy and her husband Damon Menendez; his sisters; Donna Smith with her husband George Bowen, Shelia Clauson; 3 nephews, Brett Christian, Blaine Christian and his wife Shinobo and Johnathan Kolf with his wife Angela ; three niece’s, Leana Laxon with her husband Chris, Tabatha Kolf with her husband John Knoblock and Sabrina with her husband Chad Smith;  Two brother in-laws, Horst Kolf and Hans Machner and his wife Carmen

 James is a veteran of the United States Navy where he earned Honorable discharge with several medals and decorations. Bob was born in Texarkana Arkansas to Billie and Marion Smith. As a child he lived in Germany, Guam and Japan as a military dependent before settling in Melbourne Florida for his teenage years. He graduated from Melbourne High School in 1964 and followed his father’s footsteps joining the military by enlisting in the United States Navy in 1966. It was during his time in the Navy that he met his wife Anita whom they had celebrated their 47 years of marriage just this past Feb.  Upon his separation from the Navy, Bob worked in the automotive industry before finally pursuing a career path working for the United States Postal Service.  His success in the Postal Service can be directly attributed to his work ethic and his natural ability to be a leader. He took pride in whatever he did and his attention to detail always left his customers satisfied. Bob eventually retired as a Postal Supervisor after more than 20 years to pursue his other passion, being there for his wife and continuing to be a mentor to his children and grandchildren.

 Services for Bob will be held at a later date

The family asks that you not send flowers to the house or funeral home but if you would like to contribute something in Bob’s name, please address any donations to Grace United Methodist Church, 65 Needle Blvd, Merritt Island, FL 32953 specifying the donation in the name of James R. Smith