James Edward Goldsmith, 78, of Vicksburg died peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2009, at Hospice Ministries in Jackson after valiantly fighting a 16-month battle with brain cancer.

He was born Oct. 27, 1930, in Milan, Tenn., to the late Francis Edgar and Sarah Aspray Goldsmith. Prior to his high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and proudly served as a member of the 2998th Engineering Treadway Bridge Company. Upon returning stateside, he graduated with the 1952 class of Milan High School. In the early ’60s, he re-enlisted with the Army and joined the 844th Engineering Battalion, stationed in Fort Rucker, Ala. Following his second enlistment, he continued his education at the State Technical Institute at Memphis, where he earned an associate degree in civil engineering technology.

For the majority of his professional career, he worked as a draftsman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg. Shortly after retiring, he returned to the work force as the veteran’s service officer for the American Red Cross in Warren County. In this capacity, he diligently worked to ensure that numerous veterans had access to the services for which they were entitled. Following his second retirement, he lived a full life surrounded by the love of his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Flora Rorick; and three brothers, Laymon T. “Pete” Goldsmith, Tulos Dillard Goldsmith and his twin, Norman Lee Goldsmith.

He is survived by one sister, Sarah Margaret Maynard of Milan; three children, Charles Goldsmith of Memphis, James Lee Goldsmith of Vicksburg and Tina Goldsmith of Hamden, Conn.; three grandchildren, Nathan Goldsmith of Coshocton, Ohio, Kristen Goldsmith of Flowood and Landon Goldsmith of Vicksburg; and his loving friend, Maxine Paschal of Jackson.

Visitation will be held at Bodkin Funeral Home in Milan from 9 until 11 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 2009. A graveside service, officiated by the Rev. Dan Camp of First United Methodist Church, will take place immediately following visitation at Oakwood Cemetery in Milan.

Memorials may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, www.abta.org, 1-800-886-2282 or to the Cancer Research Institute www.cancerresearch.org, 1-800-992-2623. Notification of memorials can be sent to Dr. Tina Goldsmith, 650 Hill Street, Hamden, CT 06514.