James A Smith

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2016 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Pastor John Curtis officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Casual attire is requested. Burial will be in Howe Cemetery, near Shelbyville, IL with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to The Walk to Defeat ALS.

Jim was born on July 13, 1941 in Mode, Illinois, the son of Clifford B. and Mildred Elizabeth Thompson Smith. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1960 and then served in the U. S. Air Force. Jim was a brick mason working for several area contractors. He married Jayne Parr on August 4, 1975. Prior to his automobile accident in 1980, Jim was an avid trapper and hunter. In the years that followed, Jim quietly lived out his faith by being a better husband, father and neighbor. Jim later authored a book entitled, “Footsteps to the Past: Surface Finds on the Kaskaskia River” which was published in 1992. He enjoyed the conversation at the Guy’s Steak House liars table and was a member of the Cornerstone Community Church in Shelbyville, IL.

He is survived by his wife, Jayne; his sons, Bryan D. Smith (Gosia) of Wichita, KS, Bradley A. Smith (Narumi) of Houston, TX and Morgan A. Smith of Tucson, AZ; his daughter, Sarah J. Smith of Passaic Park, NJ; brother, Clifford D. Smith (Joanne) of Dixon, IL; foster-brother, Don Whitlow (Marilyn) of Moweaqua, IL; grandchildren, Takayasu Abe, Hiroyasu Abe, Nicole Smith, Ericka Smith and Blake Smith; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by parents.

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