WILMINGTON — James Donald Smith, Jr., “Don”, 88, passed away peacefully on October 1. He lived a life filled with the love of family and achievements in business and community service.
He was born on April 6,1936 in Atlanta, GA, where he grew up as the only child of James D. and Lorena Roberts Smith. In 1958, he graduated from the University of Georgia having learned, among other things, that its football program is the exemplar of all things excellent – knowledge he was happy to share with you.
His first job after college, as a buyer for Rich’s Department Store, started a long career in the furniture industry. Successive jobs with Drexel Heritage, Sherrill, and Hickory Tavern furniture companies led him and family to settle in Hickory, NC. There in 1977, he and wife Judy founded Hickorycraft, Inc. and grew it to be a successful upholstery manufacturer serving a national customer base of department stores and other large retailers.
He sold the company to Masco Corporation in 1987 and assumed leadership of its Home Furnishings Group’s upholstery operations. In this role, he worked with the artist Bob Timberlake and other Masco-owned companies to create The World of Bob Timberlake, which Wikipedia reports to be the best-selling furniture collection in industry history. He went on to serve a term as president of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association at a time of significant change in the industry.
In retirement, he focused efforts on several organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and the Grandfather Home for Children. He was a lifelong Rotarian and member of the Presbyterian Church.
Above all, Don Smith was a family man. He was married to Judy Borden Smith for 32 years, before her passing in 1990, and with her, raised three children. Subsequently, he was married to Margie Sutton Smith for 33 years, adding two stepdaughters and a bevy of grandchildren. In addition to wife Margie (Wilmington, NC), he is survived by son Ken Smith (Chapel Hill, NC), daughter Scharme Prevost and husband Lee (Morrisville, NC), stepdaughter Deborah Moscati and husband Tony (San Clemente, CA), and stepdaughter Bonny Green and husband Tom (Wrightsville Beach, NC). He was preceded in death by his oldest son Jay last December. Grandchildren include Harrison Sasser (Katie), Matthew Smith (Laura Ann), Lane Meyers (Jack), Smith Prevost (Jessica), Gabrielle Green, Daniel Green, and Audrey Prevost. He also experienced the joy of five great-grandchildren.
A service is planned for 3pm on Wednesday, October 16 at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk in Wrightsville Beach. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity.
