James Edward Smith, Sr.

James E. Smith, Sr., 85, of Vidor died Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur. A native of Geneva, TX., James was a longtime resident of Vidor, and was a retired drilling engineer with Shell Oil Exploration. James served his country in the United States Marine Corp during WWII. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor, with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2014 at Memorial Funeral Home. James was preceded in death by his daughter Katherine Ann Smith, parents Obediah and Elsie Smith, brother William Hillis Smith, and his sister Marie Smith Roma. James is survived by his wife Lola Smith, son James Edward Smith, Jr., daughter Mary Elizabeth LaPoint and husband Jody all of Vidor, brothers John Terry Smith and wife Ormand Jane of Dallas, Robert Perry Smith and wife Lenny, Truett Smith and wife Linda all of Milam, TX., four grandchildren: Michelle Southern, Jay Smith, Elizabeth Gray, and Halie LaPoint, two great grandchildren: Cole Southern, and Taylor Southern.