James Smith

SMITH, James H. of Oakwood, joined Jesus on Christmas Day, December 25th. Jim was born in Dayton on June 25, 1927. He graduated from Chaminade High School in 1945, where he was an accomplished athlete in football and track. After graduation, he served in the US Navy aboard the USS Hoggatt Bay CVE-75. He returned to Dayton and began his sales career at Rike's selling the newest rage - TVs - to work his way through The University of Dayton, graduating in 1950. Jim joined American Sales in 1954 where he soon became their star salesman. In 1964, the President of American Sales, Ted Goldenberg, asked him to form a new division, Silver-Coin-O-Matic, as a Maytag coin-operated laundry distributor. The business flourished under his guidance. He dealt with many apartment complexes, colleges and universities, including his alma mater, the University of Dayton. He was trusted and respected as a person whose word was his bond and one whose customers were willing to sign on with him "forever." On December 30, 1971, he married the love of his life, Gloria Gould, who cared for him with love and tenderness to the end. To his brothers and sisters, he was the fun-loving Jim, who would always ask what was going on and how they were doing with his signature "Talk to me!" To his nieces and nephews, he was their "favorite uncle", sending them on searches for quarters, giving rides in his convertible, taking them fishing on his pontoon boat at Cowan Lake and Rocky Fork Lake, and always providing heartfelt encouragement and guidance. As the family photographer, he left as a gift a treasure of movies that chronicled the many Smith family events at 345 Delaware Avenue and elsewhere. To his friends, he was loyal and gracious. An avid golfer, he was a member of Sugar Valley Country Club in Bellbrook and Quail Run Country Club in Naples, Florida, where he served on the Board and as President(1998-1999). He was also a long-time member of the Miami Valley Military Affairs Association and participated in a Civic Leaders Tour to San Antonio in 1984. Preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Cecelia (Albers) Smith, three brothers, Robert E., R. Kenneth, and Hugh M. Smith. Survived by his loving wife, Gloria R. (Gould) Smith, his sisters, Jeanne McEwan (St. Louis) and Dorothy Sigman, and two brothers, Thomas A.(Marilou)Smith and Lawrence V.(Mary Lou)Smith, his sister-in-law, Hortense W. Smith (Kansas City), brother-in-law, Louis Gould, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends. The family will receive friends at Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Road, Kettering, on Tuesday, December 29, from 4-7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, December 30 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) at St. Albert the Great Church, 3033 Far Hills Avenue, Kettering, Ohio 45429. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. The family asks that those wishing to make contributions in lieu of flowers may contribute to St. Albert the Great Church or a charity of choice. Jim was truly a loving husband, brother and uncle, whose love, dignity and graciousness will be dearly missed by his family and many friends