George Smith Obituary

George Clifton Smith, known to his friends and family as Cliff was born in Wilkinson County, Georgia on December 4, 1934. His parents were James Charles Smith (J.C.) and Clara Smith. He had three brothers, Frank, Jimmy, and Elmer and a sister Agnes. All are now deceased. He grew up in the same area and graduated from Irwinton High School at the age of 16. When he turned 17, he enlisted and served in the U. S. Navy and traveled the world first in a destroyer and then as a radioman on a submarine. Thus began his lifelong fascination with radio which he enjoyed as a hobby until his later years. After military service, he returned to Macon, Georgia where he attended Mercer University as an undergraduate and then Law School where he became a lawyer, which was a longtime goal.
He then became an FBI agent and was sent to Albuquerque, New Mexico as his first station. He met Nelda Mims at the university. They fell in love and were married the next summer. They were transferred to Los Angeles and Cliff passed the California Bar Exam. He practiced personal injury defense law specializing in defending government issues for 32 years first in downtown Los Angeles, then in San Bernardino, California with his law partner George Bruggeman. When the boys were in high school, he bought a pick-up truck and 10 acres of land in the desert and raised hogs for sale and for 4H projects. Our boys and their friends have many memories of Cliff showing them how to do all kinds of mechanical and technical projects around the ranch as we called it. One friend upon hearing of Cliff's death said "Cliff Smith, he made me the man I am." He retired from law in 1997 and in 2000 he and Nelda moved to Florida where they had a house built on Lake Dora which they have enjoyed in all the years since then.
Cliff and Nelda have two sons, Carter, 62 married to Charmaine. They have two children Madison 27 and Truett 24. Brad, 59 married to Julie, have two children Owen 17 and Sadie 14. The family all enjoy coming to Florida to visit and see the sights or just sit on the back porch and watch any activity on the lake.
Graveside services for George were held Saturday, May 17, 2025, from Nunn-Wheeler Cemetery in Wilkinson County Georgia.
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