James Edward "Jim" Smith, 83, of Interlochen, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2015, at his home.

Jim was born on Monday, September 21, 1931, to the late Charles and Mildred (Finch) Smith in Edenville. He married Sharon Audrey Dean on Saturday March 15, 1958, at Pine Grove Church of God in Traverse City.

Jim was actively involved in community service. He served our country as a member of the US ARMY; he served his community as a volunteer fire fighter and board member of Green Lake Township, and served local youth, in the capacities of Cub Scout Leader and Little league baseball coach. Jim had the distinction of becoming the first Emergency Medical Technician for the Green Lake Township Fire Department. He also volunteered his time for various worthy charities throughout his life and strongly believed in helping individuals that were down on their luck. He was a natural leader and people in the community, his co-workers, friends, and family would often seek his advice.


After being honorably discharged from the ARMY, he pursued a wide variety of careers including a broncobuster, gambler, mink ranch foreman, factory worker, entrepreneur, business man, as well as a variety of other roles. Prior to his retirement, Jim was a master electrician and was employed as the Director of Physical Plant Operations at Northwestern Michigan College. He and his wife, Sharon, owned and operated the beach store at Interlochen State Park for many years and will always be remembered for his "Good Samaritan" personality. Overall, it could be said that Jim led an adventurous life, had a great sense of humor and would do anything for anybody. He really was an incredible person and will be dearly missed.

Jim is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Alice Smith of Troy; and her son, Colin of Salt Lake City, UT; Penny (Rodney) Bartlett of Longview, TX; and their children, Samantha Bartlett and Jessica (Travis) Terry and their children Corbin and Abigail, Charles Joseph (Anita) Smith II of Grand Ledge MI; and their children, Morgan Smith of Grand Ledge; Stephanie (Jeff) Stegemiller of San Diego, CA; Adriane (Gary) Jordan of Manchester, IN; and Kassandra (Kirtis) Cady and their children, Keegan and Kera, also of Grand Ledge; James E. (Angelina Richardson) Smith and their children, Julie and Loren, all of Pinckney. Also surviving are Jim's siblings, Joy Saylor of Edenville; Leon Smith of Cadillac; Bruce Smith of Houghton Lake; and Dennis Smith of Midland. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon, his parents and his siblings, Shirley White, Earl Smith and Terry Smith.

Visitation for Jim will take place Wednesday, March 4 from 5 until 8 p.m. at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 5, also at the funeral home, with Father Michael Connor officiating. Burial will take place later at St. Mary's of Hannah Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The Father Fred Foundation, The Women's Resource Center or the American Heart Association.

Please share your favorite memory of Jim, or thoughts for the family, by visiting www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com and clicking on Jim's tribute page.

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