He was born May 27, 1927 in North Carolina to the late James and Atelia North; he came here from Arcadia 6 years ago. He was the retired owner of a land development company and a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a hard working man, liked to teach his family how to weld and could fix anything. He helped to build the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. He was a decedent of the Lumbree Indian Tribe.

Survivors include his daughter, Louise Smith of Lake Wales; sister, Eunice Barbot of Jacksonville; brother, Cecil North Peoria, IL; three grandchildren, Shannon Dawn Cables, Donnie Everette Smith and Dirk Justin Smith; seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Private family service will be held at a later date.