James Wade Smoot

July 14, 1922 - February 8, 2021

James Wade Smoot went home to the Lord on February 8, 2021 at the age 98. Called “Wade” by his beloved wife, Frances of 78 years, “Dad” by his children, Debbie Howe and Jim Smoot, “ Poppa” by his 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, “Jim” by friends and colleagues, and “Uncle Wade” by numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was born in Flint Michigan and served in the Army in the Aleution Islands during World War II. He worked for Bell Telephone in Flint for 17 years before moving to Florida in 1959. They lived in Miami for 4 years before moving to St. Petersburg in 1963. He worked for Honeywell for 30 years and was involved in making parts for the Apollo spacecrafts. On one of the missions he helped design and work on the “Bee Project” where bees were sent to space, which can be seen today at Kennedy Space Center. He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church for over 40 years. He was a master woodworker whose works of art including canoes, grandfather clock, cradle for his grand babies, toys and many items for his church and neighbors. He will be remembered for his kind heart, sweet disposition, his talents and his immense love for his family and friends and will be missed greatly. Jim will be remembered at a memorial service at Memorial Gardens in St. Petersburg on Saturday, March 6 at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Grace Lutheran School in Jim’s name.