I met Jim through Mannas Market food bank where we both volunteered.  We discovered that we walked the same neighborhoods with our dogs.  We often would stop and chat.

Condolences to Jim's family!  May Jim Rest In Peace.

Mary Flannery

So sorry to hear about your loss. Jim and I went to school together since the 4th grade.  I remember going to a buffet after church with your family and Jim ate a plate of fried shrimp. After he finished, Jerry asked Jim, "How did you like those shrimp?" Jim answered he liked everything except "that crunchy part". We looked at his plate and Jerry burst out laughing and told Jim, "Ah, Jim, you're not supposed to eat the tails!" I can still picture his face turning beat red.  I will treasure all the fond memories I spent with the Smit family.   I will miss Jim and Jerry  so much.

Sincerely,
Shari Roberts Danz

This condolence from San Francisco where I am a member of various groups one of which dear James found through his computer skills.  Other  skills I remember about James were his knowledge of words.  'Analogies' impressed him. I had to look up the definition.  He visited San Francisco two years ago and gave me credit for introducing the public ground transportation system to him.
Most important, James is guiding me after departing because I now ask myself "What would James do?" in similar situation as recovered member of the group he found on-line.

Wow! So sad. Miss you my friend!

I was Jim’s pastor from about 2000-2006ish. He was an outstanding deacon. A great Godly man of integrity. He, like so many others, was a friend. Our kids went to to school together and I admired his commitment to FATHERING! Jim was a hard worker and a solid Christian businessmen too.

I’ve lost touch with him in the past 10 years. Always hoping to connect, that’s now gone on this side of Heaven.

You will be missed, but I’ll still admire you.

In His Grace & My Gratitude- 
Rev. Bruce R Kuiper

We worked with Jim volunteering at Manna's Market, Lake Odessa's local food bank. Jim said many times that he wanted to give back to the community and working at Manna's was important to him.  We enjoyed working together and soon, we all became friends. There were many fun, light-hearted times, but we also know that he had struggles and prayed for him regularly. We'll miss Jim and extend our DEEPEST sympathy to the family.

I send my deepest sympathy  to Jim's family  and friends.  May the angels lead him into paradise.  I'll remember him fondly  as a classmate from 1979, BSHS.

When we purchased our cottage on Lake Jordan in Lake Odessa, we were quickly entertained by a guy who would ride by on his jet ski with his dog sitting up front, We would always comment to each other when we saw him!  Soon we figured out that he was just a few places down from ours.

On one of his many walks, we quickly engaged in conversation with him. We found out that Mickey LOVED to ride with him on the lake! We informed him that we LOVED to watch them both!

Jim always had a kind smile when we saw him. After we got to know him better, he shared with us his past struggles in life. He mentioned many times to us that his life was changed now and how happy he was and how he was finally  at peace!! He wanted to "pay it forward" and had weekly calls with a group who he helped mentor who were going through the same struggles that he had gone through!

I also know that Jim loved his Lord! We talked numerous times about his Heavenly Father and Jim shared that it was only by the Grace of God that his life was spared!

To Anna, James, & Lily: your dad LOVED you all!! Jim was truly working at becoming a new person!!

My hopes is that some kind family will take in Mickey and little Zoomie! Jim  was a busy guy giving walks to his fury kids!! I will miss seeing him walking by with his dogs or riding his new bike with his friendly smile on his face!  Heaven is gaining a very kind & gentle soul!!

I (Josh) met Jim while a pastor at High Pointe Community Church.  Jim was friendly and humble.  He was always willing to do anything to help at church, including arriving early or staying late, or building something for me, as long as it was behind the scenes and nobody knew about it.
Jim was a qiet encourager.  I will always be thankful for him!

Our hearts go out to Anna, James, and Lily.
God bless you all!
Josh, Robyn, and Stella Allen

We think of  Jim most fondly from when his kids were young and growing as our families spent  time together. Ypu could tell he absolutely loved and was proud of his family 😊. Good times were had camping , fishing , at the cottage  ( our kids still talk about how he gave the best jet ski rides ! ) and doing athletic things with them such as volley ball or running. He always closed  the camping days around the bonfire with the youngest at that time on his lap for hours!   He was good at keeping busy and taking pride with well done projects ,  even generously gave a whole Saturday on a  complicated tongue and groove cedar wall in our home and it is perfect still !   We really pray his family finds peace, comfort and love in these happy memories . Always, the Lubbens

I first met Jim at Quality die and mold. He was such cool and nice person. I loved working with him and we became good friends. Later when Jim started his own business he would hire me to do various maintenance jobs for him. Jim always over-paid me and then took me out for supper and he would not let me pay for that either. I always loved these meals  Jim and i would take turns updating each other on our families. He loved talking about what his children were up to. It was very evident to me that Jim loved his family very much and was very proud of them all.  There is so much more that i could tell you. I will miss this dear friend .

As a fellow classmate of the Byron Center High School Class of '79, Jim was always known as an intelligent, kind, and handsome young man. He was soft-spoken, yet very focused and goal-driven. I had the opportunity to get to know Jim a little better after high school when our daughters Dayna and Anna became very close friends. Jim was the type of guy who could be trusted and also one who commanded respect. It has been several years since I've seen Jim, and it was heartbreaking to hear about some of the struggles he had been facing later in life. My hope is that, through it all, Jim was able to hold onto his faith...for that faith will set him free. 🙏 ☝️

I remember the first time I met Jim. We were coaching youth soccer against one another many years ago, with his youngest daughter, Lily, playing against my youngest, Becca. I remember how friendly he was and the Jesus fish tattoo on his hand.  The next day we realized we went to the same church, and we quickly became friends. For the past many years, he had been my best friend. Lily and Becca also became best friends, as did Jim's dogs (first Buddy and then Mickey) and my dog, Macy. We spent a lot of time together on dog walks, playing tennis, running, mowing lawns for people and snow-blowing their driveways. I later worked for him at the shop, which was the best job I ever had. Jim was smart, generous and kind. He was like a brother to me, and I will miss him dearly.

Jim and I meet in 9th grade.  We rode motorcycles, worked on our cars and got into our fair share of mischief.  He was always a friend I could count on.  He went into Tool & Die work, then started a very successful business.  Jim was a very talented and smart man.  While his life was not without struggles, I was privileged to spend time with him over the last few years. 
I will miss you my friend

A truly good guy and loved time out with him and friends when were young.  A very classy guy that many looked up too.  Very few things Jim couldn’t do.   
I did a volunteer project in our local town ten years ago and was so surprised to be working with Jim for the entire  day!   He will be sadly missed.

I can’t put into words let alone a paragraph what 50+ years of friendship with Jim was like. He was the smartest, quickest, best looking, and most creative one in our group of friends. A night with Jim was always fun and never, ever boring. He was the kind of friend that you could easily pick up your conversation where you left it off, even if you hadn’t seen each other in 6 months. His candle burned bright and much too short. I will miss him very much.

I will sure miss seeing Jim walking the neighborhood with his beloved dogs Mickey and Remi (aka Zoomy). We had many interesting talks when he was on those walks! I promise to find another awesome home for Remi (If I don't keep him that is) R.I.P. Jim

Jim was a neighbor and friend. As a neighbor on Lake Odessa Jim was always willing to lend a hand, have a chat over morning coffee and keep a watchful eye when we were away. Jim loved his dogs Mickey and Zoomy, who provided entertainment and were ready to accept a treat at a moments notice. Mickey especially loved rides on Jim’s SeaDoo for trips around the lake. Jim will truly be missed by me and my family. Our sincerest condolences to Jim’s family. 

Craig & Andrea Calkins.

OBITUARY

James Allan Smit

January 25, 1961 – December 3, 2023

Cook Funeral and Cremation Services

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