1922
Josiah
2016
Josiah Smith
January 21, 1922 — March 28, 2016
Josiah E. Smith, 94, of Brooksville, Florida, went to be with his Lord on March 28, 2016, with family by his side. Josiah was born on January 21, 1922 in Blanco, Colorado.
He grew up in Kansas City, KS where his mother raised him faithfully in the First Wesleyan Church.
He grew up learning the sheet metal trade, and started out working for free before establishing his own very successful business; J & L Sheet Metal, in 1964 where he ultimately retired from.
Josiah served in World War II and was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska. His grandmother told him before going to war that he would not have to shoot a gun, and her prayers and petitions to God were answered, as Josiah was assigned to service as the Post Engineer.
Josiah dedicated every aspect of his life to obedient service in the Lord. In the 1950’s, he assisted in planting the new Immanuel Wesleyan Church in Kansas City, KS. He spent time serving on the Board of Directors for various institutions including the City Union Mission; Kansas City Christian School; Lakeview Village; Oklahoma Wesleyan University; and Youth for Christ, as well as serving on the general board of the Wesleyan Church; the Breakpointe Church in Overland Park, KS; and the local Brooksville, FL Wesleyan Church. Some additional projects that Josiah was involved in that especially touched his heart include the design and installation of the mechanical systems of the Wesleyan Church in Sedona, AZ; the Lamb’s Club Mission Manhattan, NY; and sharing his burden and gathering others to help churches in need across the state of Kansas, including the new facility at Syracuse Wesleyan.
Josiah so deeply loved serving the Lord, and sharing his faith with those around him, as was evident in his wonderfully contagious Christ-like spirit. Those who crossed his path knew in a matter of moments how much he loved the Lord, and how good the Lord had been to him. (God is faithful! All the time!) It is only fitting that Josiah’s favorite passage in the Bible was Psalm 139. The end is especially wonderful: “Search me, O Lord, and know my heart! Test me and know my anxious thoughts, point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” The Lord did indeed walk him along that path, all the days of his life, and he has now gained his heavenly reward.
Josiah is survived by his wife, Linda Smith, of the home; son David Smith (Connie) of Weston, MO; daughter Judy Bingaman (Robert) of Wichita, KS; 9 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and many friends and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his brother Grover Smith, his wife Leah Smith; and his daughter, Joyce Lauby
Visitation will take place on Friday, April 8, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, April 9, at 2:00pm at Central Church of the Nazarene, 12600 W 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:
BreakPointe Community Church
10001 W. 88th Street
Overland Park, Kansas 66212
He grew up in Kansas City, KS where his mother raised him faithfully in the First Wesleyan Church.
He grew up learning the sheet metal trade, and started out working for free before establishing his own very successful business; J & L Sheet Metal, in 1964 where he ultimately retired from.
Josiah served in World War II and was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska. His grandmother told him before going to war that he would not have to shoot a gun, and her prayers and petitions to God were answered, as Josiah was assigned to service as the Post Engineer.
Josiah dedicated every aspect of his life to obedient service in the Lord. In the 1950’s, he assisted in planting the new Immanuel Wesleyan Church in Kansas City, KS. He spent time serving on the Board of Directors for various institutions including the City Union Mission; Kansas City Christian School; Lakeview Village; Oklahoma Wesleyan University; and Youth for Christ, as well as serving on the general board of the Wesleyan Church; the Breakpointe Church in Overland Park, KS; and the local Brooksville, FL Wesleyan Church. Some additional projects that Josiah was involved in that especially touched his heart include the design and installation of the mechanical systems of the Wesleyan Church in Sedona, AZ; the Lamb’s Club Mission Manhattan, NY; and sharing his burden and gathering others to help churches in need across the state of Kansas, including the new facility at Syracuse Wesleyan.
Josiah so deeply loved serving the Lord, and sharing his faith with those around him, as was evident in his wonderfully contagious Christ-like spirit. Those who crossed his path knew in a matter of moments how much he loved the Lord, and how good the Lord had been to him. (God is faithful! All the time!) It is only fitting that Josiah’s favorite passage in the Bible was Psalm 139. The end is especially wonderful: “Search me, O Lord, and know my heart! Test me and know my anxious thoughts, point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” The Lord did indeed walk him along that path, all the days of his life, and he has now gained his heavenly reward.
Josiah is survived by his wife, Linda Smith, of the home; son David Smith (Connie) of Weston, MO; daughter Judy Bingaman (Robert) of Wichita, KS; 9 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and many friends and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his brother Grover Smith, his wife Leah Smith; and his daughter, Joyce Lauby
Visitation will take place on Friday, April 8, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, April 9, at 2:00pm at Central Church of the Nazarene, 12600 W 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:
BreakPointe Community Church
10001 W. 88th Street
Overland Park, Kansas 66212
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