James W. Smith
James W. Smith, 84, died
Tuesday (Oct. 21, 2008) at Newton Medical Center in Newton. James Wesley Smith
was born Dec. 20, 1923, near Lewis, the fifth of 13 children of Harold and
Nellie (Richard) Smith. He attended school in Belpre and graduated from high
school in Two Buttes, Colo. He served during World War II at Naval air stations
in Norman, Okla.; Chicago; Farragut, Idaho; and New Orleans. Following his
discharge, he returned to Colorado to farm until stricken with polio. He was hospitalized
for months in Denver, then attended business college in Los Angeles and began a
new career.
He was married Oct. 20, 1949,
in Clayton, N.M., to Betty Scobee. They had four children and lived in Ulysses,
where he worked for Pioneer Electric until his retirement. He served as
treasurer for the Community Chest (now United Way) and as treasurer of the
Church of the Nazarene.
He married Emma Jean (Noe)
Green on Dec. 14, 1996, and moved to Newton, where they resided at the time of
his passing.
Jim loved to travel, play
games and work crossword puzzles. He rode motorcycles and liked car races and
fixing things.
Jim is survived by his wife,
Emma Jean; a son, David Smith (Melinda) of Olathe; three daughters, Barbara
Damron (Gary) of Liberal, Karen Rorabaugh (Tom) of Stilwell and Beverly Neufeld
(David) of Olathe. He leaves 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He
also is survived by Emma Jean's son, Gene Green (Beth) of Newton; her
daughters, Jan Robinson (David) and Carol Green of Wichita; and Emma Jean's 10
grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He also is survived by his
two sisters, Mildred Stolebarger of Springfield, Colo., and Doris (Marland)
Grant of San Diego; and three brothers, Dan of Austin, Texas, Larry of
Bloomfield, N.M., and Pete Smith of Stark.
He was preceded in death by
his first wife, Betty, in 1993; his parents; and brothers Harold Jr., John,
Phil, Paul, Courtney, Bill and Bob.
Funeral service will be at 11
a.m. Friday at First Church of the Nazarene in Newton, with the Revs. Gary
Damron, David Robinson and Charles West presiding.
Graveside services will be at
11 a.m. Saturday at Grant County Cemetery in rural Ulysses. The family will
greet friends from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the fellowship hall of
Ulysses Mennonite Brethren Church.
In lieu of flowers, the
family suggests memorial contributions to AOET, an AIDS orphan organization in
Uganda with which his granddaughter works; or to Newton Church of the Nazarene.
Checks may be sent in care of Kitch-Brenneman Funeral Home, 1212 W. Second,
Liberal, KS 67901.
Condolences may be sent to
the family at
www.brennemanfuneralhome.com.
