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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
James Marshall
Smith
June 21, 2017
Obituary
James Marshall Smith, Command Master Chief, United States Navy, passed away on June 21, 2017 encased by the love and support of the family that surrounded him in life, as well as those family and friends that communicated to him in various ways over the last few months how much he was admired and loved.
Jim's life could never be defined by the esophageal cancer that ultimately claimed dominion over his body, yet it was that very illness that helped to magnify an intrinsic characteristic of Jim – his drive to fight when, and only when, the cause was good and just, and for him the greatest cause to fight for was his desire to protect his family, especially his wife Michele. To that end, he challenged the most insidious of foes and kept it at bay far longer than anyone expected, anyone hoped. Even during a time of deep physical pain, he did what he did always, which is to teach others and to impart information that could and would be critical for others to know.
It was the mantra of his life and it was his greatest joy, watching others – be it his children or those individuals he mentored – blossom and grow into the fine individuals he knew they could become. Jim will always live on in the memories of those closest to him, but he will also live on in the individuals he helped to shape and define by his thoughts, deeds and actions.
The fifty-four years he was with us would never be enough under any circumstances, but what he accomplished in those fifty-four years would be enough to make anyone proud. We love you Jim, we always told you that and we thank you for being a part of our lives.
Jim's legacy lives on in many people, particularly through his wife Michele Smith, his children Kiersten Jimenez and Eric Smith, their spouses Curtis Jimenez and Jiwon Smith, and his grandchildren Alexandra Yoon Smith, Kira Reneé Jimenez, Aiden Dale Jimenez, and Austin James Smith.
The family wishes expressions of sympathy to take the form of contributions to Esophageal Cancer Awareness, https://www.ecaware.org/give/donate/
Jim's life could never be defined by the esophageal cancer that ultimately claimed dominion over his body, yet it was that very illness that helped to magnify an intrinsic characteristic of Jim – his drive to fight when, and only when, the cause was good and just, and for him the greatest cause to fight for was his desire to protect his family, especially his wife Michele. To that end, he challenged the most insidious of foes and kept it at bay far longer than anyone expected, anyone hoped. Even during a time of deep physical pain, he did what he did always, which is to teach others and to impart information that could and would be critical for others to know.
It was the mantra of his life and it was his greatest joy, watching others – be it his children or those individuals he mentored – blossom and grow into the fine individuals he knew they could become. Jim will always live on in the memories of those closest to him, but he will also live on in the individuals he helped to shape and define by his thoughts, deeds and actions.
The fifty-four years he was with us would never be enough under any circumstances, but what he accomplished in those fifty-four years would be enough to make anyone proud. We love you Jim, we always told you that and we thank you for being a part of our lives.
Jim's legacy lives on in many people, particularly through his wife Michele Smith, his children Kiersten Jimenez and Eric Smith, their spouses Curtis Jimenez and Jiwon Smith, and his grandchildren Alexandra Yoon Smith, Kira Reneé Jimenez, Aiden Dale Jimenez, and Austin James Smith.
The family wishes expressions of sympathy to take the form of contributions to Esophageal Cancer Awareness, https://www.ecaware.org/give/donate/
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Marshall Smith, please visit our flower store.
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