- Visitation
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- Full Obituary
James “Jimmy” Darwin Smith, Sr., 72, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2017 at 11:11 pm after a battle with lung & bone cancer.
Jimmy was born February 24, 1945 to Fordyce “Smitty” and Mary (nee Groves) Smith in Belleville, Illinois.
He graduated from Lebanon Community High School and later attended Southwestern Illinois College. He worked for many years alongside his father at Smitty’s Supermarket in Lebanon and was a founding member of the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce. He was an Emerald Mound Volunteer Fireman and was instrumental in starting the first volunteer ambulance service in Lebanon. His experience as an EMT led to a second career in the medical field as a phlebotomist and medical technician. He worked in post-surgical at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois, from which he retired in 2009.
He moved to Clearwater, Florida in 2014, fulfilling a lifelong dream to live at the beach. Jimmy’s favorite thing was sun, sand & surf and he often described his occupation as “Professional Beachcomber”. He was an avid swimmer, enjoyed classic cars & Film Noir, was a fan of NBA Basketball, and loved The Blues. He became a practicing Mahayana Buddhist in 2013 when he completed his Refuge & Precept Vows at MABA Monastery in Augusta, Missouri.
His memory lives on through those who remain: sister Mary Lou (Kenny) Kiefer of North Redington Beach, Florida; daughters Shauna (Clyde) Sconce of Belleair Bluffs, Florida & Samantha (significant other, Christopher Willis) Smith of Godfrey, Illinois; son Tucker (Shilo) Smith of Denver, Colorado; nieces Kim Kiefer of Austin, Texas; Jessie Smith-Cox & Jana Smith of Richmond, Indiana; nephew Kevin (Cristina) Kiefer of Ferguson, Missouri; granddaughter Jordan (fiancé Brian Taylor) Lynn of St. Louis, Missouri; grandson Canyon (Savannah) Smith of St. Louis Missouri; cousins Judy Groves Raymer, Floyd Groves, Vicki Groves Chapman, Debbie Groves Law, Kathleen Smith Maza, Daena Smith Groves, Darwin Smith, Janni Smith Klenk, Mark Smith, Phil Smith, Kathy Gentry, Karen Gentry; and many beloved friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Fordyce “Smitty” Smith & Mary Groves Smith; brother, William Allen Smith; and son James Darwin Smith, Jr.
In keeping with his deep-rooted desire to serve others, he donated his body to medical research. He will be interred at College Hill Cemetery in Lebanon later this summer in a private ceremony. According to his wishes there will be no public visitation.
Jimmy and his family will be forever grateful for the loving care & support provided by Suncoast Hospice of Clearwater, Florida. Memorial donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice Foundation at suncoasthospicefoundation.org.
Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL
