DANVILLE- Jim "Smitty" Smith, 62, a loving husband and father, passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at OSU medical center after a two-year battle with liver cancer.
He was born March 19, 1950 in Washington Township, Coshocton, Ohio to the late Leon and Mattie (Thomas) Smith. He moved to the Danville area when he was 3. He graduated from Danville High School in 1969. He was married to Barbara Rainey on May 5, 1973 in Wise, Virginia. He spent his life as a strong supporter of Danville Athletics and the Ohio State Buckeyes. In 1982, he along with Marvin and Jean Baldridge, Dennis Breckler and Rob Dawson founded the Danville Colt Football League. In addition to coaching colt football, he also coached little league baseball. For twenty seasons he transported the football equipment for the Danville Blue Devils Football team. He helped many young men learn the value of athletics and teamwork.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, daughter Jeannette (Philip) Pine, of Washington Court House, Ohio, three sons; J. Matthew of Danville, R. Patrick of Lexington, South Carolina, and Nathan of Newcomerstown, Ohio, his special son Luke Colopy of Danville, Ohio and his four-legged companions Brutus, Chloe and Zoe. He is survived by his five sisters, Kay (Roger) Sloan, Riverside, Ohio, Joy (Bob) Boling, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Jane Durbin, Danville, Ohio, Ann Smith, Howard, Ohio and Sue Dunagan, Glenmont, Ohio and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother Richard, nephew David Durbin, and brother in-law, David Dunagan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday Dec. 15, 2012 at the Fischer Funeral Home in Danville, with Matt McManaway officiating. Private burial will take place at a later date. Calling hours are from 5-8 p.m. Friday, and one hour prior to service time on Saturday at the funeral home. www.fischerfuneralhome.com
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 555 Frantz Rd. Dublin, OH 43017 www.cancer.org; or to the Danville Fire Dept. (E.K.C.J.F.D.) P.O. Box 526 Danville, OH 43014.
