Obituaries

James Samuel (J. Sam) Smith

Photo of James Samuel (J. Sam) Smith
JAMES SAMUEL (J. SAM) SMITH, 78, of Little Rock, passed away on Aug. 29, 2013. at St. Vincents Hospital. He was born in Camden, Ark., Oct. 31, 1934 to Mr. and Mrs. Jewel Smith. He attended Camden Schools and graduated from the University of Arkansas. While there, he was the editor of the university newspaper, the spotter for the Razorbacks football broadcasts and wrote sports articles for the Northwest Arkansas Times. After graduation, he worked for the Truman paper and Southwestern Bell. Then he went to work for the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce where he created the "Talk Arkansas Up" slogan that became a major part of Arkansas' promotion and was president of the Little Rock Advertising Club. Sam also worked for Cranford Johnson Advertising Agency before Reynolds Metals Company hired him to be their public relations representative in Bryant, Ark. He went to Padre Island as Reynolds spokesperson when a hurricane hit the area. He later opened Smith, Jennings, and Kane advertising agency that had many clients which won him several advertising awards. Sam was a force in the political world by handling campaigns for several politicians including Sen. David Pryor, Jim Guy Tucker and others. Sam loved hunting and sports, especially floating down the Buffalo River with his family and friends. He took the National Geographic team and some US Senators on a float trip down the Buffalo River in March of 1977. Sam was a member of St. James Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Matthew Smith, of Bella Vista, Ark. He is survived by siblings, Wanda Bradford of Flippin, Ark., Ben Smith of California; children, Renee' Baxley of Benton, Jay Smith of Berryville, and Michelle Metzger of Windsor, Calif.; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. There will be a private family service. Memorials may be made to St. Vincents Hospital. Cremation was through Ashby Funeral Home of Benton, Ark. Online guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

Published September 8, 2013

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