12/19/2016

Obituary for James "Jim" Smith

Father of Shane Smith, Smith and Sons Funeral Homes

Longtime Clinton County funeral director, James E. “Jim” Smith, 72, passed away 8:04 AM, Friday, December 16, 2016.  He was born January 29, 1944 in Richmond, Virginia, son of the late L. Eugene Smith and Mary V. “Connie” Smith.  He was a graduate of Blanchester High School and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.  He served in the U.S. Air Force.

Jim began his long career in the funeral industry working with his father at the L. Eugene Smith & Son Funeral Home in New Vienna.  Together they purchased the Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home in Wilmington in 1973.  Later he owned and operated both funeral homes with his son, Shane C. Smith.  For many years, he also operated a private ambulance service that was associated with the funeral homes.  Jim retired from the Wilmington Fire Dept. after many years as a firefighter and E.M.T.  He also served several years with the New Vienna Fire Dept.

He was an active member of Bible Baptist Church of Wilmington and a current member of the Clinton County Zoning Appeals Board.  Jim was involved in many organizations over the years including the Wilmington Rotary Club, the F&AM Lodge 52, Scottish Rite Valley of Cincinnati, the B.P.O. Elks 797, and the I.O.O.F.  He was a past president of the Wilmington Rotary Club and was instrumental in the organization of the Rotary Golf Tournament and Rotary Art Show.  He was also a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.  He had served as past president of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association District 11 and was a past director at large for O.F.D.A.  He had also served on the National Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team.  He enjoyed golfing and was an avid Cleveland Browns, Ohio State Buckeyes, and NASCAR fan.

Jim is survived by his wife, Karen Reno Smith; son and daughter-in-law, Shane and Niki Smith; seven grandchildren, Kennedy N. Smith, Spencer C. Smith, Carson L. Smith, Remington R. Smith, Lisbon N. Smith, Gentry W. Smith, and Gatlin J. Smith; a sister, Sue Roberts of Logan, Ohio; a brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Linda Smith of Urbana, Ohio; as well as his nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, a brother-in-law, David Roberts, is preceded in death.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, December 22, 2016 at the Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South St., Wilmington, Ohio with Pastor Kelly D. McInerney and Pastor Michael Ogg officiating.  Burial will be in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Gallipolis, Ohio.  Friends may call from 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at the Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Bible Baptist Church, 55 Megan Drive, Wilmington, Ohio 45177.

For more information or to sign the registry of condolences visit www.smithandsonfuneralhomes.com.