Jimmy Lee “Big Jim” was born June 25, 1954, in Tahoka to Andrew and Geneva Flournoy Smith. The family moved to Amarillo when Jimmy was very young. He attended Palo Duro High School.

Survivors include his wife, Johnnie; a daughter, Kiska Caldwell and husband Roderick of Kilgore; two sons, Kenneth Smith and Allen Armstong, both of Amarillo; a brother, Tommy J. Smith of Amarillo; three grandchildren; and many other relatives.