Jim K. Smith

Jimmy Keith Smith was born to Dr. C.J. and Willa Dean (Willis) Smith at Ardmore, Oklahoma on October 18, 1943. While his father was overseas in the service, Jim K spent his early years in Centrahoma, Oklahoma. The family found themselves in St. Louis, Maude, Earlsboro, Stillwater and Sumner as his parents pursued educational careers and as two brothers and a beloved sister came along. After graduation from Sumner High School in 1962, Jim K enrolled at Northern Oklahoma Junior College and was graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater in 1966. Intent on a career in education and coaching, Jim K was asked by Bertha Malzahn, mother of the founder of Ditch Witch, to complete volunteer work for her in Perry after he graduated. Jim K soon decided against teaching and joined Ditch Witch in the summer of 1966. After three years with the company, he moved the family to Phoenix and graduated with a master’s degree from the Thunderbird School of International Business. Joining the Caterpillar company in 1970, the family moved to Peoria, Illinois where, in 1972, he was contacted by Ditch Witch to return to Perry and become the company’s second international sales manager. For the next eighteen years, Jim K traveled the globe, substantially expanded the Ditch Witch international dealer network and led a team dedicated to the company’s global business. When the opportunity to acquire and manage a dealership arose, he became the principal of Ditch Witch Southwest in Lubbock, Texas, Until his retirement in 2009, Jim K was the face of the Ditch Witch organization with his customers and drove success in the Lubbock-area market.

Jim K is survived by his wife, Karen (Stuart), who he met in Lubbock and married in 2014, brothers Bill Smith (Denison) and Jackie (Lesa) of Sherman, Texas, son Scott (Heidi) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Steve (Jamie) Amarillo, Texas, their mother Cheryl Smith of Wichita Falls, Texas and Karen’s children who became his own, Jeffrey Carter of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Samantha Biffle (David Carlsen-Landy) of Richmond, Virginia. His loving grandchildren, Mackenzie Smith (Matt), Ransom Smith, Greenley Smith and Jaxson Smith and great grandson, Calvin James Smith, will miss the Paulo stories. He is preceded in death by his mother, father and sister, Priscilla Vandygriff

A memorial service is planned for 1pm, Saturday, January 15th, 2022 at Resthaven Funeral Home, 5740 19th St, Lubbock, Texas. Following the memorial service there will be a celebration of Jim K's life at 3pm at Texas Cafe 3604 50th St, Lubbock, Texas.

Interment will be scheduled for family at a later date at Georgetown Cemetery near Pottsboro, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Alzheimer's Association or your favorite charity.