Mr. James Douglas Smithson, Sr., age 82, passed away peacefully at The Spires, Rome, Georgia on Monday morning, April 6, 2026 after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson's Disease. Jimmy was born in Summerville, Georgia on February 20, 1944 to the late Tom Smithson and the lake Jackie Windsor Smithson. 

He was educated in the Chattooga County School system. Mr. Smithson was the owner of Smithson Builders, Inc. a premier commercial and residential building company that he founded in 1974. Jimmy was an avid golfer and a member of Coosa County Club where he served on the board of directors and as president of the club in 1983 and 1984. He was a former member of the Nine O'clock Cotillion and Rome Exchange Club. Jimmy was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Rome where his building company was responsible for the renovation of the sanctuary. 

Mr. Smithson is survived by his devoted wife, Kathleen Hight Smithson; his daughter, Mandy Smithson Wallace and her husband, Jim, of Fletcher, North Carolina; his son, Jay Smithson of Cumming, Georgia; and grandchildren, Clancy and Aiden Loorham and Savanna Smithson. He is also survived by his two brothers, Wayne (Diana) Smithson of Rome and Mike (Deb) Smithson of Leesburg, Florida.

 The family will receive friends at the Coosa Country Club on Friday, April 10, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to P.A.W.S., 99 North Avenue NE, Rome, Georgia 30161 or to Advent Health Redmond Foundation, the Charlie Williams Parkinson's Fund, 501 Redmond Road Rome, Georgia 30165. 

Salmon Funeral Home & Crematory Family is honored to serve and care for Mr. James Douglas Smithson and his family.