James Franklin Smiley, 86, of Grosvenor

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James Franklin Smiley, 86, of Grosvenor passed away, Sunday, April 10, 2022.

Visitation with family will be held before the service on Thursday, April 14, 2022 from 12:30 – 2:00 PM at Heartland Funeral Home.

The Funeral service will be held in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 14, 2022 with David Barnum officiating.

James was born December 29, 1935 in Sour Lake, Texas to Roy and Cornelia Smiley.  He was raised in Grosvenor, Texas attending grammar school in Grosvenor before going to Bangs where he graduated.  James was meant to be outdoors.  He had more energy than the energizer bunny rabbit, he could not be stopped.  James says he never retired, he spent most of his life working in the oilfield, farm work and 6.5 years with Texas Parks and Wildlife in the state park.  He mostly raised goats and cows.  Every morning at 86 years old, he went to the pasture to feed and check on the animals.  James really enjoyed sitting on the front porch and watching cars pass as he shelled pecans from their orchard.  Last week he was still cutting mesquite wood and had planned to plow on Sunday.

James is survived by his sister, Wyvetta Casey and husband Larry of Grosvenor; nieces, Debbie Schaeffer and husband Randy of Wichita Kansas, Debbie’s children, Michael and Becky and their children; Rita Grimes and her husband, Rocky of Spicewood, Texas and Rita’s children, Misty and Kenneth and their children; nephew, Jason Lewis of Grosvenor; long time friends, Eddie Brewer and wife Adria of Wink, TX and their children Kayla and Addie; and several great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

James was preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences, tributes and memorials can be shared with the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net