James B. Smith, age 91, passed away Thursday, December 21, 2023, after a fall and short illness.
James was born in Belding MI on December 18, 1932, to Dr. Karl and Wilma Smith. When he was young, the family moved to Greenville, MI and it is here Jim grew up and attended school though the 11th grade. Jim attended Kemper Military School in Booneville MO for his senior year and first year of college.
In 1953 Jim enlisted in the Air Force and served until 1957. He was trained as a meteorologist and served 2 years in Alaska. He was always watching the clouds and following the weather.
After the Air Force he finished college at Central Michigan earning a degree in Education and spent his 32-year career teaching high school Biology at West Ottawa High School in Holland retiring in 1991. He spent his summers working as a carpenter building houses and later working as a farm hand on his friend, Wayne Pynnonen’s blueberry farm. It was here he got the nickname Sunshine.
In retirement he enjoyed making baskets, fly fishing, reading, and spending time with his grandkids. Jim was a loving, hardworking man that spent a lifetime sharing the things he loved with his family and friends. Whether it was the years of family vacations spent traveling the countryside, singing in the church choir, and helping family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Barbara Smith in 2015.
He is survived by his daughter, Colleen Ball and son-in-law Tom; son, Aaron Smith and daughter-in-law Bridget; grandkids, Travis, Sarah and her husband Kirk, Nicole and her husband Landon, Danielle, and Zachary; great-grandchildren, Deakon 4, Juke 1 ½, Douglas 5, Adeline 3, Virgil 2, Silas 4 months; and an older brother, Richard Smith, age 94.
Visitation is from 4:00-6:00 pm Friday, January 5, 2023, at Langeland Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St. Holland, MI 49423.
Funeral is at 11:00 am Saturday, January 6, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church, 659 State St. Holland, MI 49423.
Memorial contributions in Jim’s honor may be given to the Braille and Talking Book Library. Checks can be made payable to the “Library of Michigan Foundation” with a note on the memo line indicating “BTBL”, and mailed to: Library of Michigan Foundation, PO Box 11027, Lansing, MI 48901.
