James "Jim" Michael Smith of Keithville, Louisiana passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023 at the age of 72. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late James Michael Smith Sr. and Alma Steinmann Smith. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Jim was one of the smartest people you would ever know. He had an eagerness to learn, earning many degrees. He worked as an Electrical Engineer, a technician and a HAM operator. He had an appreciation of how things worked, taking them apart and rebuilding to really understand. Some may say he was a "jack-of-all-trades."
Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend. He was the father he didn't have to be! He loved his family more than anything, always put them first. Jim spoiled his family because, "There is nothing wrong with being spoiled."
Jim had a gift for making people feel loved and included. He accepted everyone for who they are. He adored making people laugh. He was always there when he was needed even if he wasn't asked to be.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Pat Smith, daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Colt Palmer; grandchildren and their spouses, Taylor Scriber, Cade and Crystal Palmer and Caitlin and Ashley Palmer; great grandchild, Maci Palmer; siblings and their spouses, Linda and Bill Parillo, Nancy and Elton Farrar, Mary Scallan and John Smith; Nieces and Nephews, Michelle Peterson, Amber Hoover, April Stewart, Ross Scallan, Alex Cole, Mary Katherine Smith, Jennifer Farrar and Julie Farrar ; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael Parillo, Bryce Scallan, Craig Scallan and Sherri Smith.
A visitation for Jim will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 9:00 AM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108, followed by a celebration of life at 10:00 AM. Officiting his service will be Father Gabriel.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org.
