James Lewis Smith, son of Lloyd Wood Smith and Lucille Ellen (Andrews); Smith, was born in Portland Oregon on May 14, 1932. Jim had two brothers, Cliff and Lee. Jim's mother Lucille died when he was young so his brother Lee & wife Kathy moved in with him and his father Lloyd. Jim graduated from Grant High School in 1950.
Jim attended Reed College in Portland for a short time; he then joined the Navy, February 16, 1951 through January 6, 1955, during the Korean War. His desire was to serve on a submarine, but was instead assigned as a sonarman in the bottom of a destroyer USS KIDD. One thing he greatly enjoyed was listening to undersea mammals. After his service in the Navy, he took a night class in typing where he met Rose Irene Blackburn. They married July 9, 1955.
He then attended Portland State, and moved to Indiana where he taught speech and attended Purdue University. He spent two years at Hunter State College in New York, then Forest Park in Illinois where he again taught speech and also got his PHD. They bought a condo and lived in Illinois for almost 5 years. During this time Rose worked for insurance companies to help with finances while Jim was in school. A favorite memory from their time in Manhattan New York was strolling the sidewalks listening to street musicians without spending a penny. Jim also enjoyed the outdoors; he would take his nephews and niece hiking, quite often, in the Columbia Gorge, Multnomah Falls, and Beacon Rock. One Christmas, they even went to Fish Creek to cut a Christmas tree.
Jim and Rose returned to Oregon approximately 1980. During this time, he sold Amsoil and also got into computer sales and service.
Jim died a month and a half before his 81st birthday. He is preceded in death by both brothers, Cliff & Lee. He is survived by wife Rose, sister-in-law Kathy Smith, niece Mary Schnell, nephews Ron, Don, Larry, Frank & Darrell Smith, and Cousin Pat Mitchell.
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