JAMES F. SMITH

James Francis Smith died Wednesday, March 6, 1996 at the Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska at the age of 62. 
He was born June 21, 1933 at Kremmling in Summit County, Colorado, the son of the late Walter Sanders and Clara Ethel (Lee) Smith.

Jim grew up in the Denver, Colorado area and graduated from South High School in Denver in 1951.
On July 26, 1951 Jim married D. Joan Gentry in Denver, Colorado.

Jim began working as Station Agent for Frontier Airlines, moving to Riverton, Wyoming 
and Pueblo, Colorado before coming to McCook, Nebraska in 1959 where he was Station Manager with Frontier until 1971.
In 1981 Jim completed his schooling in gunsmithing at the Trinidad College at Trinidad, Colorado 
and operated his own gun shop known as The Gun’ Smiths specializing in custom stock and metal work. 
Jim also joined the McCook Police Department in 1981 where he was a dispatcher in the communications department.
At the time of his death he was on duty with the police department. 
He was President of the South West Nebraska Rifle and Pistol Club.

Preceding him in death were his parents, one granddaughter, Andrea Nicole Smith, 
one brother, Leslie “Bud” Smith and three sisters, Effie Parker, Evelyn Smith and Eleanor Smith.
Surviving Jim is his wife, Joan Smith of McCook, Nebraska; 
four sons, Michael Smith and his wife Nora of Gold Hill, Oregon; 
Walter Smith and his wife Laura of Chicago, Illinois; Richard Smith and his wife Shelley of Wichita, Kansas 
and Mark Smith and his wife Ginni of Amherst, Nebraska. 
Four daughters, Carol and her husband Marcy Shadley of Trenton, Nebraska; 
Laura Tournade and Linda Smith both of McCook, Nebraska and Sharon and her husband, Mark Hollars of Dallas, Texas. 
Fourteen grandchildren. Two brothers, Max Smith of Aurora, Colorado snd Orville Smith and his wife Ella of Farmington, New Mexico. 
Two sisters, Inez and her husband Lynn Curtis and Lola Baer both of Denver, Colorado.