James Rodger Smith, 78, of Odessa, Missouri, passed away Saturday, January 02, 2016 peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 6th at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO; burial in Odessa Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, Odessa.
James was born December 7, 1937, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the son of James Palmer Smith and Georgia LaFavor Zemmer Davis. He was a stock operator for Ford Motor Company in Claycomo, retiring after 36 years.
James is preceded in death by a son, Jimmy Clay Smith; grandson, Jordan Patrick Smith; son-in-law, Andrew Libera; sister, Dottie Simon; and brother, Kevin Smith.
His survivors include his wife of 49 years, Becky Smith of the home; 2 daughters & son-in-law: Tammy and James Finlen of Spring Hill, KS, and Cindy Libera of San Antonio, TX; 3 sons & daughters-in-law: Keith and Denese Smith of Kansas City, MO, Shane and Pam Smith of Mayview, MO, and Shannon and Stephanie Smith of Blue Springs, MO; brothers & sisters: William Smith, Joann Brown, Teri Supica, Pamela Moffitt; stepbrother, Ron Schoneman; 14 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441