Jimmy Smith passes away

  • July 21, 2015

MARIETTA, Ga.—Sunday, July 19, 2015, marked the end of an era in the racing business with the passing of Jimmy Smith.

Smith has been a distributor and sales consultant for the McCreary Tire & Rubber Company, later Specialty Tires of America since 1968.

During his career, he had managed race tire sales and marketing from as far west as Oklahoma and Kansas all the way to the east coast.

Up until his passing on Sunday, Smith had been in constant contact with both existing and potential customers assisting the current American Racer distribution network.

The racing business was in Smith’s blood. He will be sorely missed as a friend to those that knew him and as an icon of this industry.

Jimmy Derrell Smith

Jimmy Derrell Smith, age 71, of Marietta, GA died Sunday, July 19, 2015. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, July 23, at East Cobb United Methodist Church with Dr. Jim Higgins and Rev. Nancy Hicks officiating. Interment will follow at Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetary.

Smith was a lifelong resident of Cobb County and a graduate of Campbell High School. He began his career in the racing industry in 1967 and was the owner/operator of Jimmy Smith Race Tires for over 30 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Carole Thomas Smith.

Survivors include daughters Lanisa Haskins of Marietta, Leighanne (Robert) Cabe of Kennesaw; brother, Mike Smith of Powder Springs; grandchildren, Cody Haskins, Lexie Haskins, Mason Cabe, Evan Cabe and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Carmichael Funeral Home located at 1130 Whitlock Ave. in Marietta, Ga. Their phone number is (770) 424-4924.