Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Joe Loftin Smith, 54

joe

Joe Loftin Smith of Little Rock, AR escaped the bonds of this earth peacefully for a better place September 29, 2016.  Joe Loftin was born on January 18, 1962 in Stillwater, OK.  It was an angry, cold and snowy day unlike September 29.  Services are pending.

While Joe’s life started in Oklahoma he soon was in Arkansas, first Jacksonville then Little Rock.

Joe graduated from Parkview High School and after a brief adventure as a musician enrolled in Arkansas Technology Institute.  He graduated in two years and went to work in the media department of UAMS.  He soon was hired away by Arkansas Children’s Hospital where he worked for most of the rest of his working days becoming department head of Media Services.  His career ended after 20+ years due to medical problems.  Later he worked with Janet Warlick at Camera Work and in legal media until medical problems forced him to stop.

Joe was an outdoor person and loved to hike, camp, fish, ride bicycles, and most of all – sail.  He joined a local sailing club, bought a sailboat and became a champion racer.  It remained his passion the rest of his life.  In later life he painted, did woodworking and continued his photography.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joe Wade and Lois Smith, William A. Loftin, Jr. and Marie Carter Loftin Shane.

Survivors include his father: Joe H. Smith of Little Rock, mother – Judy L. Smith of Austin, TX, – 2nd mother, Linda H. Smith of Little Rock, brother – Jeffrey C. Smith of Austin, TX,  former wife and soul mate – Janet Warlick of Little Rock, AR, cousins and many friends.

Those that knew Joe would tell you of his unending talents, his fervor for them and those around him that he loved dearly.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 501-982-3400.

www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com

12 Comments

  • Alice Wheat Robertson Posted October 2, 2016 11:44 AM

    Joe and Linda, I’m so sorry for your loss. You said children should outlive their parents. That’s true in a perfect world. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen like that. Both Linda and I had to watch our mothers go through this agony. I wish that something I could say would make it less heartbreaking, but only your faith in God will help you through your despair. Knowing that you have many friends that will stand by you is a wonderful thing and will help. The pain is always there, but we learn to live with it, knowing it is part of God’s plan. I’ll be praying for you both and the rest of your family!🙏🏻Alice

  • Luther Evans, Jr. Posted October 2, 2016 5:11 PM

    I am thankful for years that Joe and I worked together at AR Children’s Hospital. We did a lot of great projects together and won many awards. During those years Joe and I became very close friends and I am glad that God allowed our paths to cross. My prayers are with the family and may
    God bless you and comfort you!

  • Shanyn Rose Posted October 2, 2016 7:54 PM

    I am so very sorry 🙁 my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

  • Zina Underwood Posted October 2, 2016 11:00 PM

    Joe, Linda, Janet, Words can not express the pain of losing Joe. I know you loved him so much and he will be missed by all who knew him, he was a kind strong willed man looking for peace with his self and I know he has found it now. I am thankful to have know him and loved all the family gatherings I was invited to, he was like the big brother I never had. I will be keep you all in my prayers and thoughts and know he is sailing the seas of heaven and is smiling !

  • Donna Davis – Ballard Posted October 3, 2016 3:49 PM

    I am so sorry for all you who loved him so much as I did. I will miss him dearly. Glad he found the love of his life with Janet.

  • Cassandra Taylot Posted October 3, 2016 6:08 PM

    Janet
    Harden and I are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and his family.

  • Cathy Loftin Davis, Rogers, Arkansas Posted October 3, 2016 9:46 PM

    On behalf of the entire Loftin family, please accept this sincere, heartfelt message of sympathy at this most difficult time during the loss of your precious Joe.
    My prayers will continue for all of you in the days ahead, for encouragement, love, and the realization that Joe Loftin Smith has entered the gates of Heaven for eternity, for ever and ever with God!

    I love you all.

    • Joe H. Smith, DVM Posted October 4, 2016 11:19 AM

      Thank you for the thoughts Cathy.

    • Joe H. Smith, DVM Posted October 4, 2016 11:20 AM

      Thank you….

  • Cindy Hazzard Posted October 5, 2016 12:48 PM

    I had the great pleasure of meeting Joe at the sailing club. He and Janet became very close friends of ours and that friendship continued. Joe will be missed at our backyard Football get together’s he was a fun and quirky guy! We will miss you Joe!

  • Miles Price Posted October 5, 2016 3:11 PM

    I will miss Joe. We started at Henderson together and remained good friends through Parkview. I was so glad to have the opportunity to reconnect with Joe a few years ago the last being at Mr. Lorenzo Smith’s services. Our former band director- We shared some great memories at that time and I am grateful that we did. Life is so very precious. What a great spirit and Joe had one of the best minds that I have ever known. Loved his analytical thought process.

    We had some great times growing up and I am quite saddened by his loss. A great soul. My empathy to his family. It is quite the loss. God Bless the Smith Family: All of you are in my prayers. Joe I will miss you. Much love, Miles

  • Cecilia Hartness McBrier Posted October 6, 2016 6:28 PM

    I will never forget the first time I crossed paths with Joe ….we were in the parking lot at Parkview . …he smiled and he smiled and said I am Joe . …I said I am cecilia.,,,he just looked and said ok. We were friends from then on. I am thankful for the fun we had at school. I send prayers and no comfort to his family and soulmate. RIP my friend

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