Smitty, Amigo.
We never hung around together just schooled together, somehow later on in life our wagons circled with hunting and fishing, Jim thank you for that.
Napoleon once said, "To be believed you must make the truth unbelievable".
Brother, but its hard to believe your wagon is heading home.
Have a good journey.
Sheri, God bless,

Wheeles   

We have many memories of Smitty but a few special ones come to mind.  He was a pillar of support to me (Vina) as we shared our time in the classroom together. He was always prepared and yet fun to be around. He was a special coach to our son, Tait, when he needed a player on the football field in the middle of a game and our freshman boy was it! He nurtured him and gave him the love and care he did so naturally. One of our favorite memories was an evening the staff was having a gathering at Falcon Inn. Jim was sitting with us and Sheri joined us. After they had  many minutes of conversation, I noticed he was holding her hand. That was the beginning of a relation that was lived fully and for the rest of time. He will be greatly missed as he was a special person.

Dear Sheri, Athena, Tyson and the extended Family,
Mary and I extend our deepest sympathy for your loss. Smithy’s unexpected departure from the world has left a void that can’t be filled. The personal grief you must feel is shared by the many friends, faculty and students he graced with his warm smile and calm demeanor.
I have many favorite memories of Jim, a few being: several times we played trivial pursuit at the Shumaker’s house; many FAC’s at the Shady Lane home, endless fun on snow day poker games.
 One of my favorite memories of Jim was when he helped me set the trusses over the garage on our RRR house. The day was a typical summer afternoon, with the heat bringing in large thunderstorm clouds and fierce wind. He and I were alone and the wind posed a danger of all our days’ work being blown down, destroying the trusses which would have caused a big setback on the project. He stayed until the structure was complete and all the appropriate bracing was secure against the wind. He was a true friend and hero.
Please know that Jim was loved and respected by so many people throughout the Monument area and Mary and I hold him, you and the family dear to our hearts.
Craig and Mary Ketels


Hey Smitty 
I sure appreciate the great memories of coaching football with you at L.P.  Many drills and practice techniques I learned from you I used and passed on to the football coaching fraternity.  You were teaching the QB's the triple option and reading the defense.  What a potent attack!   Awesome coach and such a good friend.  I will miss our visits up on My. Herman walking our dogs and laughing.
Tony Ramunno

When Jim married Aunt Sheri, we called him Mr. Smith or Jim for awhile. But after weekends hanging with my parents at their house or our house, he soon earned the title Uncle Smitty. But then one day Uncle Smitty became my accounting teacher in high school. I had accounting 1st period. We started each day with morning announcements. Lots of kids would go down and grab a donut from the cafeteria before 1st period really started. My friends and I wanted to go grab a donut so I raised my hand and Mr. Smith says, “Yes, Kelly?”  I reply, “Hey Uncle Smitty, can we go down and grab a donut?” As soon as it came out of my mouth, I was totally embarrassed. I turned red, he turned multiple shades of red, and the kids had a hay day giving me grief about my “uncle” being our accounting teacher. We both eventually laughed it off, but I made sure not to slip up again:). Thanks for being such a great teacher and friend to our family!  You are loved and will be missed by so many!
💜Kelly Weed Box

I'll never forget what you have done for this family.  Always the quiet one behind the curtains, doing what needed to be done.  From painting houses to taking on family's personal crisis's and not shipping a beat.  I was always proud to call you my brother...Rest Easy Smitty

Wow....I'm so saddened to hear about one of my favorite coaches passing. Smitty was my head football coach at St. Mary's  in 1979. I was a junior and that year, Smitty orchestrated an historic win in the history of our school.. Our nemesis, Salida, had not been beaten in 8 years of league play in the Pikes Peak League.  We beat them that day, I believe the score was 19-6.  I'll never forget the things he told me about how well I played that day. It meant everything to me. He was a young coach, a players coach. I felt robbed when he left to teach and coach at Lewis Palmer. I also had him as a teacher, and he was laid back and chilled, even back in the day! I will cherish the memory of him and that win for the rest of my life. I'll miss you coach, but what a legacy you left! RIP Smitty! Love you brother. 

Smitty was my teammate for 4 years, my roommate for 3 years, and my very good friend. I am truly blessed to have known him. Smitty to me was the best athlete in our high school class and probably one of the best ever to come out of St Mary's. I admired his ability` in making basketball and football look easy to play. I even admired his penmanship which was always precise and consistent, similiar to his jump shots or free throws.
I have great memories of Smitty. From the fun of going out too often instead of studying, our losing adventures at the Loveland dog track, driving all night to watch the college world series, and the endless card games of spades usually ending with the sun rising. (I don't recall being the better even in cards.)
Thank you Smitty, for the privilege of being a friend and knowing you sadly for such a short time.

Smitty was a childhood friend and was the BEST MAN in my marriage to Kitty. We were best of friends through grade and high school, college and early adulthood. He was a great athlete, good student (mother Mary saw to that), and a true friend. Sheri he was loved by many before you met him but you have been a model to all for love and support for him. 
He will be missed but the memories live on for us all. Love you Jimmy Smith “Smitty”!!!!!

As a first year teacher I was paired up with Smitty to teach a Self Defense class, a class that he developed and patiently taught to me.  I was the young naive teacher and he was the tough experienced one.  We were the perfect pair! I learned so much from him and he was very encouraging.  He was one of my first teaching/coaching mentors.  I still teach the same Self Defense class and can't get through it without thinking about all the time we spent together.  Sheri, you are in my thoughts and prayers.  He was an amazing man. 

 One of the sweetest memories I have of Smitty is  coming  home  to a note left on my kitchen counter and a sparkling house. I was newly married and we had given Smitty a key to our house. I left for work one day with  dishes in the sink and the house a mess.   The note simply said “ A leprechaun visited your house today”  I am  smiling in my heart as I think back on that memory. 

Thoughts and prayers to the family . Mr Smith was my typing teacher at LPHS  and he was a great person and coach and always  had a smile on his face.  So sad that he is gone and  he will be missed by all who knew him .   RIP Mr Smith .  Class of 1987 at Lewis Palmer High School. 

I would like to share my absolute favorite memory of Smitty.  We are at good old Divine Redeemer (DR) in Colorado Springs in the old Parish Hall that doubled as the gymnasium in those days.  Jim in the 7th grade, I in the 8th.  We are in the basketball tryouts on a Saturday morning.  We dribble around and performed a few mundane basketball drills and shots.  After a short break the "coach" posts the names of those boys who have  "made" the team.  Smitty's name is not among the chosen few.   As I recall, Jim didn't seem too upset, he just hung around and started playing in a pickup basketball game.   He ran up and down the court, dazzling the other players and  demonstrating those gravity-defying moves that made him one of the best basketball players and athletes in the history of St. Mary's High School (he could literally hang in the air FOREVER).  Needless to say, the stunned "coach" quickly realized his error and Smitty made the team.   The rest, as they say,  is history.  I have told this story probably a hundred times over the last 50 years ...  the moral of the story about never giving up in the face of adversity and how no one should ever be "cut" from grade school or Junior High sports teams.  I too have always marveled at Jim's calm demeanor and grace.  I have no doubt that he took experiences like this to heart and it made him a better person, as well as an outstanding teacher and role model.  

Smitty ,  Mark  Lane and myself were like brothers in our senior year at St Mary' in 1972.  Smitty's Dad helped us install an 8 track in my Maverick and many miles were spent in Smitty' pale blue bug finding the fastest routes thru Colo.  Spgs. back alleys with one of us on lookout shouting directions.
I miss him already, a good friend,  this is really, really sad.
Kirk Friel

Jimmy was a great cousin, I remember talking to him a few years ago he had come across some of my research into family history. However my computer crashed and I lost some of what I had. We would spend holidays with them growing up and when I was in the military had caught up with him and Sheri a couple of times. He took great care of his mom and always had a smile.  He will be missed. 

Sheri, I’m sorry for your loss. Mr. Smith always carried a smile, always had something good to say, and was always happy! To the teacher family of LP, enjoy your coffee conversations and reminiscing about the good ole days with “Smitty”! A sad day for everyone left behind, but a great day for those that have traveled ahead and have been awaiting his arrival! Safe travels Mr. Smith, but you will be missed here. With Love.

As a member of Smitty's graduating class at St Mary's High School, I remember him as a very good athlete, but an even better person. Smitty was one looked up to and admired by all. My wishes and prayers for comfort and peace are with his family through this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss...he was an awesome teacher and he cared about his students... He had a wonderful smile...I'll always remember him..
"LP graduate 1982"

God Bless Smitty and his family.  He was a great friend and we had great times together, especially in college.  Great memories of sharing a trip with him from Houston to the Springs.  I know I'm one of thousands of who loved to watch him play basketball.  Went to Mass this AM and reflected on when he was our altar boy training coach.  He did a great job of playing the part of the priest...........Father Theobald at the time.  Just a great guy. I have a vision of my dad and son among thousands welcoming him into heaven.  Drawing a lot of comfort from that picture.  God Bless you Smitty.     

Smitty- you were always a true friend, loads of fun and thank you so very much for all the wonderful memories!!! Ill never forget you,  your smile and witty personality... thx again Smitty!!!

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

James "Smitty" Patrick Smith

1 novembre 1953 – 25 février 2018

Swan-Law Funeral Directors

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