Obituary for Jesse Thomas Smith (March 5, 1933 - October 3, 2011)U.S. Veteran Jesse Thomas Smith was born on March 5, 1933, in a country home with dirt floors near Groesbeck, Texas. His family moved to Lancaster where Jesse started school.After high school graduation, Jesse enlisted in the Air Force. In 1952, he married Sandra Smith and they moved to Ft. Worth, where he was stationed at Carswell AFB. Their daughter, Sherry, was born in 1954, followed by a son, Mark, in 1955. Jesse was discharged from the Air Force a month early so he could enroll at Texas A&M College. By the time he graduated in 1958, two more sons were born, Bruce and Steve.Jesse then went to work as General Manager of various car dealerships all over the country. He finally bought his own Ford, Lincoln-Mercury and GMC dealership in El Dorado, Arkansas and a Ford, Lincoln-Mercury and Mack truck dealership in Monroe, Louisiana.Sons Todd and Heath were born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Neal was born in El Dorado, Arkansas. Sons Aaron, Matthew and Jared were born in Mexia.Jesse learned to be a mechanic by watching and helping his dad, as did his boys by watching him. He taught his boys the value of hard, physical work by taking them to the field to dig trees alongside him.Jesse and his family were sealed in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple in 1969, by the Temple President, whose name was also Jesse Smith. They then settled in the Mexia area, attending church in Cor­sicana and Waco for many years, until a branch of the LDS church was established in Mexia. Jesse became the first Mexia Branch President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He also served in many other church callings throughout the years. Jesse was a true business entrepreneur in the Mexia area. One of his businesses was the first cell phone store to be located here, Mexia Cellular. He also owned Mar­lin Cellular in Marlin, Texas.Jesse Thomas Smith was preceded in death by his son, Mark Smith, his parents, Mayward and Ila Smith, broth­ers J.M., Clifton and Jack, and sisters, Donna Smith and Wanda Jo Mitchell.He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra Lynne Smith, and children: Sherry Johns and husband Dale of Colo­rado, Bruce Smith and wife Linda of Oregon, Steve Smith and wife Kristi of Groesbeck, Todd Smith and wife Doris of Mexia, Heath Smith and wife Kim of Shiloh, Aaron Smith and wife Vicki of Vidor, Matthew Smith and wife Kristen of Mexia. Neal and Jared Smith and by his sister, Mary Nell Lindsey. Jesse is also survived by 38 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.Porter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements, and services were held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 1209 S. Hinchliffe in Mexia on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 2 p.m.. Visitation with the family was from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Porter Funeral Home in Mexia.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the LDS Hu­mani­tarian or Missionary Fund.