James "JW" Smith Jr.

J.W. Smith, 83. Passed on Monday, September 28, 2026. Born to James William Smith, Sr. and Juanita Webb Smith in Knoxville, TN, J.W. was beloved by family, and friends all over the world. 

As a toddler, JW’s grandparents would take him for evening car rides to lull him to sleep. Instead of getting drowsy, JW stood on the front seat and propped his hands on the dash to watch and see what was around the bend or over the next hill. This pretty much set the path of JW’s life. That urge to see what’s next has taken JW to many of the Americas greatest adventure destinations. 

JW began his outdoor career as a Wildlife Enforcement officer for the Tennessee Game and Fish Commission in Wartburg, Tennessee. On one occasion, JW tracked an out of season hunter. As the hunter walked past, JW flicked a Zippo lighter. The hunter threw up his arms and said, “Lord, don’t shoot me!” JW moved on to Alaska as a Fish and Wildlife Officer/Trooper with the Alaska Department of Public Safety where he made one of the biggest illegal hunting cases in the department’s history and coordinated enforcement activities between Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Later he became a Special Agent with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, Alaska. He attended the Federal Law Enforcement Academies in Washington DC and Glynco, Georgia where he earned an Expert Marksmanship designation. The Secret Service tried to recruit him but he declined and eventually left law enforcement to become Co-owner/Manager of an Alaska fishing/hunting lodge, and then a wilderness campout operation where he guided fishermen and big game hunters. He moved on into the outfitting business and became a partner in Rod & Gun Resources, booking and escorting trips in North, Central, and South America. He appeared in numerous outdoor-themed books, sporting magazine articles and three nationally syndicated outdoor TV shows. 

One of the great perks of outfitting is an exploratory trip. JW explored remote rivers in Alaska, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela and Colombia; usually with a guide that didn’t speak English. He was once stranded on an island offshore Mexico, fortunately with a guide that could climb trees for coconuts while JW caught fish to eat. Exploring tarpon fishing in Honduras, he met the local game warden who had no shoes; J.W. left him his sandals. In Guyana, J.W. and his guide were drafted by local law enforcement to play drug smugglers. J.W. hid bags of sugar on the boat and sped off. Local law enforcement didn’t catch them until they slowed down; they were unable to find the hidden sugar. In Alaska, JW explored many rivers, walked many miles, crashed in a small plane twice, and encountered many grizzly and brown bears, all journeys made enthralling stories.

 JW lived life on his own terms. His generosity of time, spirit and determination served him well. 

JW and wife Dawn experienced numerous adventures during 38 years of marriage while traveling to locations near and far, and meeting strangers that became lifelong friends. He’s off on his next great adventure, scouting the best fishing holes in heaven. 

This caring and loving man is preceded in death by his father and brother Richard. Survived by his mother, Juanita; the love of his life (as he was hers) Dawn; son Steven and daughter-in-law Linda; daughter Crystal, son-in-law Jeff and granddaughter Kayla; brother David, sister-in-law Vicki, nephews Dave and Mike, nieces Windy, Kari, and Treva; sister-in-law Betty, niece Kiesha and husband Brian Dalton. In-laws Jimmy and Melanie Cox; Mark and Jill Gilliand, Sarah and Sean Sweeney, Spenser Gilliand; Ben and Leann Gilliand, Lilly Gilliand; Tristan and Mercedes Livingston, Trinity, Tegan and Tayzlee Livingston; Curtis and Laura Hamlin, and Ailyn Hamlin. 

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 on Saturday, October 17 at Mountain City Funeral Home.