Jimmy Smithson Obituary

Jimmy Gray Smithson

January 30, 1939 -

March 12, 2026

JOHNSON CITY - Jimmy Gray Smithson, 87, of Johnson City, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Johnson City Medical Center.

Jimmy was born January 30, 1939, in Greeneville, TN. The youngest son of Doyle Lovette Smithson and Kate Cannon Smithson. Jim grew up with his older brother, Tommy Hughes Smithson on the Smithson Family Farm in the Camp Creek Community of Greene County. Fishing up and down "the creek" and basketball games were his main interests, especially his 40-points game. He graduated from Camp Creek High School in 1957.

At 17 years of age, he hopped a bus for a 3-day trip to Washington State to find work for college expenses. He worked three to four years with Green Giant Pea Company and a ranch in Idaho operating large trucks/machinery. He graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1962.

His first week in education was at Rogersville High School as an Industrial Arts instructor. During his five years at RHS he first started to develop a sincere commitment to help the unnoticed scholastically who just needed a little extra help or encouragement or sometimes just needed a coat to wear.

In 1964 he accepted an industrial arts educator position in Hamilton County with Soddy Daisy High School. He was soon appointed assistant principal then interim principal upon the death of the principal.

Jim was also appointed manager/principal of one several vocational/technical centers across the state of Tennessee. Educators from Japan, Europe, toured the facility to observe the wide curriculum, excellent quality, and outstanding placement of the center.

Jim was pleased to receive an offer from Chattanooga State Technical Community College to serve as Dean of the Division of Industrial Technology. He revived a division that had been allowed to deteriorate and almost close. Jim's determined and strong effort brought it back to one of the best divisions of that kind in the state. Jim and Janie previously completed an endowed scholarship in honor of his parents Doyle and Kate Smithson at Chattanooga State Technical Community College. This scholarship now goes to a senior at Soddy Daisy High School.

His charities were so personal… many high school students over the years received class rings, yearbooks, car parts, a good paint trim job and they never knew the donor. After his retirement, he continued to anonymously help the unfortunate. His retirement also allowed him to expand his time and commitment to his golf game. A significant number of his golf buddies developed into very special personal friends.

He and his wife Janie had accumulated very many dear friends in Soddy-Daisy and all the surrounding communities; it was hard for them to retire and move to Johnson City. They had been part of many churches because of the constant travel to upper East Tennessee, but Jim never forgot his growing up at Mt. Tabor Methodist Church.

He met his wife Janie Stroupe when they were on the faculty at RCHS. They were married and moved to Chattanooga in 1964. She served 30 years as a high school guidance counselor, while Jim's school service totaled 40 years. They both attended the University of Mississippi for M.Ed degrees and Jim added additional graduate work at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his very dear brother, Tom Smithson, and his parents-in-law.

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his wife, Janie Stroupe Smithson; sister-in-law, Juila Church Smithson; his very special godsons, Forrest and David, and their precious families; his many cousins that he loved very much.

A gathering of friends and relatives will be held Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm in the Reception Hall of Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to – Lee H. and Mable Marshall Stroupe Annual Scholarship, Director of Development, Northeast State Community College, 2425 Highway 25, P.O.Box 246, Blountville, TN 37617. This scholarship is given annually to a senior at Volunteer High School.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.tetrickfuneralservices.com. Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City, is honored to serve the Smithson family. (423-610-7171)