James Arthur Smith died of cancer at the age of 69 in the Reno VA Hospice on January 8, 2017. He was born in Ely, NV on March 20, 1947, to Bonnie (nee McEuen) & James Harrison Smith. He has one sister, Faye Lucille Meyers (Kenneth) of Yakima, WA. He graduated from Reno High School in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & overseas in Vietnam & Germany.
Jim met Martha Smolinski while he was stationed at Ft. Belvoir, VA. They married at St. Benedict’s Church in Highland Park, MI, on July 12, 1969. They have 3 children: Robin Amy Armstrong (Keith), George Vincent Smith & Karen Rose Smith all of Winnemucca, NV. He has 4 grandchildren: Cherice Rose Armstrong, Caden Vincent Smith, Hope Rose Smith, & Lindsey Ann Smith. Jim and Martha lived in Reno, Ely & Winnemucca, NV.
Jim was employed by T.G. Sheppard Construction Co. & Humboldt County Road Dept. where he was the Road Dept. Supervisor. Jim worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Gold Fields. The mine changed hands & became Twin Creeks Mine, where he worked as a Grader Operator & Back-up Shift Supervisor. He also worked for the U.S. Dept of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Winnemucca Field Office in the Division of Support Services as an Engineering Equipment Operator for 10 years.
Jim was a member of the Mt. Wheeler Four Wheelers in Ely, Winnemucca Sage Gamblers 4WD Club, Winnemucca Trap Club, Lions Club, Humboldt County Men’s Bowling Assn, Koyote Kruisers Car Club, and Northern Nevada Racing Assn. He helped the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. in many activities for 15 years. He was a life member of the National Rifle Assn and the Vietnam Veterans of America. He helped collect “Coats for Kids”.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Sonoma Funeral Home, 47 W. First Street, Winnemucca, NV. Graveside services to follow. Burial will be in the Winnemucca Cemetery. Reception will be held at the Martin Hotel, 94 W. Railroad St., Winnemucca.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Veterans Guest House, 880 Locust St., Reno NV 89502.
