James Royce Smith, 69, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, in Waco, Texas, at the Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest Hospital.Burial services will be provided by Bellmead Funeral Home. Rosary is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 22, 2017 at the Bellmead Funeral Home. James was born February 14, 1948 in Lubbock, Texas, to Dorothy Alice (Rivers) Veselka. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Henry Odis Veselka. He spent most of his childhood in Mexia, Texas, and lived in Iowa for a couple of years, before coming to live in Waco, Texas. He enjoyed arts and crafts and was gifted in artistic drawing. He also loved animals, and fishing was his favorite hobby. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cheri,his parents, Dorothy and Henry Veselka; and nephew, Dale (Bo) Blancett. Survivors include his three sisters: Shirley Clarke and husband, Alan of Mineral Wells; Theresa Cooper and husband, Mike of Waco; Patsy Mussman of Moore, Oklahoma; his nieces and nephew: Tamra Mussman of Oklahoma City, Kimberly Mussman of Enid, Oklahoma, April Blancett of Waco, Texas and Paige Butcher of Abbott, Texas, Cortney Clarke of Austin and Christopher Clarke of Millsap, Texas; and his aunt, Betty Rivers of Waco, Texas.