James Jim Dean Smith

His funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Church of Christ in Bayard with Pastor Bill Ferrero officiating.  Cremation will follow the service.  A private inurnment will be at the Bayard Cemetery.   At Jim’s request,  everyone is encouraged to wear Husker red or casual attire.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Bayard Memorial Chapel.

Jim was born on February 23, 1965 in Scottsbluff, the son of Jerry and Cheryl (Hight) Smith. He attended school in Bayard graduating from Bayard High School in 1984.  While Jim was in high school, he was involved in numerous activities, 21st Century Singers swing choir, Prom King ; participated in basketball, track and football for 4 years.  He was voted All Conference Football.  He also was voted by his class the best looking and best athlete in 1984.   He attended NWC in Sidney and received his AS degree in welding and was certified.

Jim married Deirdre York on February 22, 1986 at the Methodist Church in Bayard and to this union three children were born, Landon, Trey and Sara.

He worked for Chimney Rock Irrigation as a ditch rider and was currently working in construction.

Jim enjoyed baseball and was one who started Babe Ruth Baseball.  He coached many kids and was involved in many capacities of the game.

He was honored during Pioneer Days to be their Kidnapped Victim. Jim was probably the states most avid fan for the Huskers.  Jim was a giving person, helping anyone who came into his path.  He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his mother, Cheryl Jordan of Bayard; father and mother, Jerry and Deb Smith of Bridgeport; brother, Jeff (Celeste) Smith of Bayard; step brother, Scott Smith of Rapid City, SD; children, Landon, Trey and Sara Smith all of Guyton, GA; nephew and niece, Jadon and Jessi Smith of Bayard; uncle and aunt, Mark and Donna Hight of Red Lodge, MT and aunt and uncle, Tery and Gary Wolverton of Bayard; ex wife, Deirdre (Chris) Miller of Guyton, GA; numerous cousins, special friend, Deb Hirsh and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Pauline Smith and Ardon and Shirley Hight; step father, Gregory “Jordy” Jordan and uncle, Jim L. Smith.

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