Celebrating the life of
James A. Naismith, Jr.
January 04, 1922 - November 18, 2013
Captain James Alfred Naismith, Jr. USN Retired
World War II and Korean War Veteran
Captain James Alfred Naismith, Jr. died November 17, 2013 in Savannah, Georgia. He was born on January 4, 1922 and raised in Savannah and graduated from Savannah High School in 1941. While a pre-med student at Emory University, he joined the Navy to serve in WWII. Alfred was assigned to the USS Texas for the duration of the war, serving on both the European and Pacific fronts. After the war, he returned to the University of Georgia where he received an industrial management degree and was a member of the ATO Fraternity. He also earned a master's degree in industrial engineering.
While employed by The Atlantic Oil Co. in Philadelphia, Alfred earned a second master's degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. In 1950, while acting as Atlantic Oil's district manager in Savannah, he was again called to serve the Navy during the Korean War. Alfred then decided to make the Navy his career from which he retired in 1975 after assignments in Italy, Japan, Hawaii and the Pentagon. His numerous awards included the European Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 stars, the Philippines Liberation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.
After retiring from the Navy, Captain Naismith worked as a Senior Project Engineer for Raytheon Corp. in the Washington, D.C. area for 15 years before returning to Savannah and taking up residence at The Landings, where he stayed active in the Kiawanis Club, the Navy League, and was a member of The Skidaway Island United Methodist Church.
Alfred Alfo Naismith was pre-deceased by his wife Jeanie, his parents James Alfred and Agnes Naismith, two brothers, Donald and Jean Tootie Naismith, and a step-son, Bruce Abbott.
He is survived by his sister, Ann Naismith Groover, a step-daugter, Joyce Newsome, a sister-in-law, Jane Samford Naismith, a step-grand-daughter, and three step-grandsons, three nieces and five nephews, and their spouses, children, and grandchildren.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 21, 2013 at the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church, with The Rev. Jim Giddens officiating.
Burial will be in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery.
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
Please accept my condolences. I was very sorry to read of Mr. Naismith's death. But please take comfort in the fact that sickness and death will soon be things of the past. The Bible promises that Jehovah God 'will swallow up death forever, and....will wipe away the tears from all faces.' Isaiah 2:8
- Mrs. Khan, , GA
With deepest sympathy
- Tassey and Margarita Salas, Savannah, GA
I shall miss my former friendly Landings neighbor, Mr. Naismith, and his yapping furry canine companion. He always had an opinion on the issue of the day, usually suggesting a better way to fix it. I was amazed how he gardened into his 90s. If I could chose a grandfather, he would be my selection. Just fun to have him in the neighborhood.
- Patricia Ray, Savannah, GA
Please accept my condolences. I was very sorry to read of Mr. Naismith's death. But please take comfort in the fact that sickness and death will soon be things of the past. The Bible promises that Jehovah God 'will swallow up death forever, and....will wipe away the tears from all faces.' Isaiah 2:8
- Mrs. Khan, , GA
With deepest sympathy
- Tassey and Margarita Salas, Savannah, GA
I shall miss my former friendly Landings neighbor, Mr. Naismith, and his yapping furry canine companion. He always had an opinion on the issue of the day, usually suggesting a better way to fix it. I was amazed how he gardened into his 90s. If I could chose a grandfather, he would be my selection. Just fun to have him in the neighborhood.
- Patricia Ray, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
