James Clyde Smith said good-by to us and went peacefully through the gates of heaven on Monday, August 24, 2015. He was met there by his mom, Margaret "Peg" Smith and his dad O. Clyde Smith, who preceded him in death.

Jim was born in Detroit in 1945 and moved to Traverse City seven years later. The family rented a small apartment in the "Old Town" district until his dad's accounting business became established, enabling them to buy a water front lot on the Old Mission Peninsula to build their dream home. Jim's Uncle Hugh was the general contractor and Jim became his "apprentice". He loved working with wood and learned the art of finish carpentry. It was beach property that fostered his love of the water. When his dad gave him a 7 foot aluminum boat with a small motor, West Bay became his "playground" to fish, water ski, and embark on numerous hiking adventures back and forth to Marion (Power) Island.

He graduated from Central High School in 1963 and continued his education at Taylor University in Indiana. That was interrupted by the death of his father in 1967, at which time he returned home to help with the family business. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Reserve for 2 years. During that time he enrolled in Northwestern Michigan College to start his course work for elementary education, which he completed at Western Michigan University. It was during a semester break that he got up enough nerve to call the girl he had his eye on, Terry McManus, and so started a life long relationship.

In 1974 he and Terry were married and started their teaching careers in Traverse City. They bought an old house on Eighth Street so Jim could practice remodeling a house. In 1975 they bought a lot on the peninsula and started building kitchen cabinets in his parent's basement. They were finished before the house was roughed in in the spring. Team work became the key to this ongoing project for the next 10 years. His son Cory was born in 1981, followed by Keaton in 1986.

Jim taught for Traverse City Public Schools; at Sabin School for 15 years and Norris for another 15. He retired in 2004.

Jim's love for the water and the out of doors were often included in his lesson plans for both school and home. He loved getting his students outdoors to explore the wonders to be found under a rock or a log. Norris had a creek nearby and that became part of his science curriculum. At home, the bath tub was always an ongoing science project. There was always a "critter" of some sort in a temporary habitat until it went to school for show and tell. His two young boys just expected new arrivals every week and never realized that it was a "bath" tub. Before long they started adding to the collection.

Even though there were always house projects, the family would spend quality time camping and boating. His summer bucket list always included a camping adventure to the Upper Peninsula and a boating excursion to parts unknown. One of his favorites was the Inland Water Way between Conway and Cheboygan. By this time the boat was a 23 foot Slick Craft with a "cuddy cabin". It provided the family with a cabin on the water and a "research" vessel to collect new specimens for his classroom.

When we weren't traveling, his 1923 Model T would get a new coat of wax to make a trip to the Farmer's Market or to the beach for the afternoon. He enjoyed cross-country and down hill skiing in the winter.

He leaves behind his wife, Terry, his son Cory and his new bride Candice, and son Keaton. He will always be in our hearts and prayers as we admire and continue on with our lives in the home that he built for us. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Margaret "Peg" Smith, his grandparents Ed and Ruth Montgomery and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Minnesota and Michigan. Dementia never took away the memories he had of the many summers he spent with relatives on the Nettiewyynntt Farm. And though he might tell the same stories and jokes over and over, he never lost his snse of humor.

A Sunset Celebration of his life story will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 5 (rain date Sunday Sept 6) at Chimney Ridge beach with Steve Fouch officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Hospice of Michigan 10850 E. Traverse Hwy., Suite 155, Traverse City 49684 or online at www.hom.org . The family can't thank the Traverse City team enough for the care and support provided in this time of need.

Please share your favorite memories and stories of Jim with his family by way of his online guest book/tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.