James Robert Smith

James Robert "Bob" Smith, longtime resident, businessman and civic leader of Fayetteville, passed away in Autumn Care Nursing Home on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, following a brief illness.

Mr. Smith was born in Belvidere, Perquimans County, Nov. 5, 1935, to the late Nora Lamb and Fred Elmer Smith. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Edna Smith Kendall of Elizabeth City and Pauline "Polly" Smith Grimes of Southern Pines; and two brothers, Fred Elmer Smith Jr. and Millard Harold Smith of Belvidere.

Mr. Smith graduated from Perquimans County High School and the University of Georgia. Following his studies and subsequent tour with the Peace Corps, Mr. Smith relocated to Fayetteville, where he began National Career Centers USA Inc. He served as owner and CEO of the company until his retirement in 2000. Following his retirement, Mr. Smith continued his civic, political and social activities with an emphasis on support for education through his service on boards at Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville State University, and Methodist University, among others. His support of educational scholarships also extended to the Miss Fayetteville Pageant and the Miss North Carolina and Miss America programs, all of which he supported in various capacities for many years. Mr. Smith served two terms as chair of the Cumberland County Crown Coliseum Commission, where his leadership was instrumental in construction of the area's Crown Coliseum. He was an avid and generous supporter of many community and civic charities, including being a member of Camp Ground United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, where he served in many support and leadership capacities through the years.

Mr. Smith is survived by brothers, Thomas Elwood Smith of Rockville, Md., and William Paul Smith and wife Ethel Frances of Portsmouth, Va.; and brother-in-law, Daniel L. Grimes of Southern Pines. He is also survived by three nieces and four nephews.

Mr. Smith will be greatly missed by a multitude of faithful friends and by those who provided personal care to him during the last months of his life. The family will join friends for a celebration of life reception to be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011, in the Crown Exposition Center. The celebration of life memorial service will follow immediately at 4 p.m. in the adjoining James R. "Bob" Smith Hospitality Ballroom. Both memorial events are open to the public. A private interment service for Mr. Smith will be conducted at the Cedarwood Cemetery in Hertford at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Smith-Grimes Nuclear Medicine Charitable Trust, FTCC Foundation, Fayetteville Technical Community College, P.O. Box 35236, Fayetteville, NC 28303. The trust awards grant scholarships to students in the field of nuclear medicine, research and study.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory of Fayetteville, and Swindell Funeral & Cremation Services of Hertford.