- Date Of Birth: May 10, 1936
- Date Of Death: July 21, 2018
- State: Florida
James “Jim” Smith, age 82, of Gulf Breeze passed away on July 21, 2018.
He was a devoted family man, amazing father and loving husband. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joann Smith, and two sons, Rick and Scott, all of Gulf Breeze.
Jim was born on May 10, 1936 in Winchester, TN. He graduated from Franklin County High School in 1954 where he played football, basketball and ran track. He was All-State in football. He accepted a football scholarship to attend The University of Mississippi. After two years there he transferred to Tennessee Tech where he played football and graduated from Tech in 1958.
He married his high school sweetheart Joann Trussell on November 28, 1958 in Decherd, TN. Jim accepted coaching job at Pensacola High School in 1960 and moved the family to Florida. He taught P.E. and coached football at PHS and really enjoyed his time there. He became the Head Football Coach at GBHS in 1974 and stayed there until he retired.
Jim loved fishing; he liked to go fishing, talk fishing, and he enjoyed sharing his catch with friends. He also loved football; whether it was playing, coaching, talking football or watching it on TV.
