James R. Smith

SMITH, JAMES R. age 89, passed away quietly in his sleep early Tuesday morning July 14, 2015 while at his Norton Shores home. He was born October 26, 1925 in Foxville, Maryland. He was a WWII veteran serving in the Army Air Corps as a radio/radar operator aboard a C-47 troop carrier aircraft over Europe. Moving to Muskegon in 1956, he was employed as a Chief Estimator and eventually as a Regional Marketing Manager within the Defense Division of the Brunswick Corporation. During his career, he worked in Lincoln, NB, Marlton, NJ, and Huntsville, AL before retiring from Brunswick in 1990 and returning to Muskegon. His work with Brunswick was a great source of pride especially his involvement in the development and contracting of parts for the V-22 Osprey aircraft which a grandson would fly in Afghanistan years later. In his life, James enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, dancing, and the company of family and friends. He was active in the Boys Scouts of America and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow in recognition of his service. He was a Big Brother and a member of the American Legion. James was a lifelong contributor to agencies involved with troubled youth, St. Jude's Children's Hospital and shelters for abused and neglected animals. He was a man of unending concern for his family and showed remarkable generosity to them and beyond. It was said, if you ever needed someone to have your back, he was the man to pick. His children had deep respect for what he so consistently demonstrated: love and commitment to his country, his wife, and to them. He did his duty and much, much more. He will be deeply missed. On February 24, 1945 he married Betty Jane Knepper (2006) in Chewsville, MD. He is survived by 2 daughters, Jamie (Charles) Cathcart of Muskegon, Brenda (Harold) Wagner of Norton Shores; 1 son, Dennis (Sibyl) Smith of White Cloud; 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren. James' family included 3 sisters Hazel (Fox), Marie (Gaver), Betty (Sanders); 6 brothers Fred, Raymond, John, Leon, Wilburt, and Floyd all of the Maryland and Pennsylvania mountains. A family service was conducted July 18, 2015 at Ever Rest Funeral Home & Chapel, interment took place at Sunrise Memorial Gardens, Muskegon, the Reverend Carl Black officiating. MEMORIALS to the Noah Project (5205 Airline Rd, Muskegon, MI 49444) would be greatly appreciated.