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James Smith Obituary
James "Jimmy"
Frank Smith
James Frank "Jimmy" Smith, (Ax Men), 56, a resident of Cle Elum and a former resident of Leavenworth and North Bend, died Thursday November 01, 2012 at Wenatchee.
Jimmy was born on May 03, 1956 to James H. and Leah (Wilson) Smith at Leavenworth. Jimmy spent his early life in Leavenworth and later North Bend where he attended school. He enlisted in the United States Army and after being discharged he returned to North Bend and married Sandra Jackson; Jimmy moved to Farmington, Washington and attended Big Bend Community College. He later moved back to North Bend and later to Cle Elum where he worked as a carpenter until starting S&S Aqua Logging with son James L. Smith. Jimmy was very proud of the fact that for the last five years they were featured on the History Channels TV series "Ax Men".
Jimmy loved hunting, fishing, his dogs, his family and "Ax Men" Logging. He was an avid outdoorsman and was well prepared for the future.
He is survived by his mother, Leah Smith (Ken Buzard) of Wenatchee; his sons, Chad Smith of Seattle and James Smith of Michigan; brother, rob Smith of Leavenworth and sisters, Sylvia Adams-Lance (Mark), Gloria Smith-Williams both of Leavenworth and Rebecca Forsyth (Brian) of Everett; his good friends who helped take care of him, Ken Morgan, Tim Skagen, Scott Burke and Larry Wade and many aunts, uncles nieces, nephews and cousins. Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, James H. Smith; daughter, Katherine Marie Smith and his grand parents, Dud and Viola Wilson and R.R. and Bessie Smith.
A Memorial service of Com-memoration to celebrate the life of James Frank "Jimmy" Smith will be held on Saturday November 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. View Cemetery on Icicle Road in Leavenworth. Visitation will be held on November 12th and 13th at Ward's Funeral Chapel, 303 Pine Street, Leavenworth from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Jimmy's name to "Our House" Cancer Care of North Central Washington at 1708 Castle Rock Street, Wenatchee, WA. 98801 or your local Humane Society.
Ward's Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth is in charge of the arrangements
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Smith
Sponsored by Stephen Resetar, and my son Wyatt California.
John Barry Miller
July 29, 2025
I was sorry to hear that Jimmy got cancer, I'll say a prayer the family
Kathy Malec
February 8, 2025
Rest in peace Jimmy
Kathy Choate
February 7, 2025
So sorry for your loss..prayers for all
Sharon Haywood
June 25, 2022
Rest In Peace Jimmy!!!!!!
Debbie Dinatale
September 13, 2021
I Loved watching you both on TV your heroes in my book I Love you both.Ill see you in heaven my babies
James DeMarzo
May 28, 2020
really still do enjoy the reruns. He was definitely a Character. God Bless him.
John & Annette Soukup
November 1, 2019
Jimmy really loved his son you could tell that very much. Jimmy is missed by us.
Joe Donlon
September 20, 2018
Fond memories of jimmy and James on axe men .it brought us joy and happiness watching them together .rest in peace jimmy Smith from a fan in lanesboro co longford Ireland..
Stan
October 2, 2017
Loved to watch you and your son on ax men was very exciting to see a father son combo work their butts off together may not have been eye to eye but you always got the job done rip
January 13, 2016
James, you were a good son.
June 22, 2015
RIP JAMES SMITH
John & Annette Bibeau
October 30, 2014
Jimmy and James I grew up in Washington State and live in Connecticut now and we have really enjoyed your show. God be with you and know you will always have friends in Connecticut.
Sheri Nimitz Hankish
April 28, 2014
In God's hands forever....Sheri Nimitz from Ann arbor, Michigan
jeffrey pilkington
April 6, 2014
love your show and you are greatly missed...
Jamie Childress
March 2, 2014
You will be missed
Rich Gibbons family Gibbons
February 15, 2014
Rest in peace and james are thoughts are with you
roxanna canter
February 2, 2014
We miss you Jimmy.The show want be the same. God be with your family an friends.
josh Anderson
January 23, 2014
Rest in peace u will be missed
Al Hofer
January 16, 2014
'm from Austria and Ax Men is shown whith over 1 year delay so that i First heard today from his dead. All my condolences to the hole family. He was One Kind of a man. RIP - from Austria
kim sager
January 12, 2014
R.i.p
Kathy McBride
January 12, 2014
Me and my husband love ax men, we have watched the show from day one and have never missed one episode.We miss Jimmy and James so much, the show just is'nt the same without them, it's just not as exciting without you Jimmy you're the reason we watched the show, you and James are what made the show exciting.You will be greatly missed, and James, keep on loggin that's what your dad would want you to do,you're good at it, you learned from the best.I hope you get back on the show James, hang in there, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,God bless you all.
January 12, 2014
hey sorry for your loss of your dad james i enjoyed watching both of you on axmen when i saw your dad in the hospital and stuff i felt bad for him see you in heaven jimmy smith
Kimbery Sull
January 9, 2014
Good luck James, sorry for your loss and may God bless and bring peace to you all.
Larry Millet
January 9, 2014
James if you need to pick up the peices to begin logging again, please contact me . I can help you financially . larrymillet35@ gmail.com
AJ LaBrosse
January 5, 2014
Jimmy and James always made for a great show and I am sure Jim was a good person as well. I missed seeing both Jim and James at "Logger Days" in Darby, MT, and will always regret it. Jim...The logs are bigger and better where your spirit now resides. Rest in Peace, Friend!!! God Bless you and your Family.
Larry Millet
December 22, 2013
I always in joyed watching Mr. Smith on Ax men.
My heart goes out to his son and family . Thanks for the meamoies . Now he is chasing logs in heaven . Having a log off with Moses in building the Arc !!!!!
zachery hook
December 18, 2013
Jimmy smith was a good man. On ax men season 2-6 he did good harvesting logs. Season 2 & 4 was the best because the wood was very very valuable :). I hope to see him face 2 face in heaven one day
Donna Y
November 25, 2013
I truly miss you Jimmy. Your antics with James made the show more fun to watch. I still watch Ax men but it will never be the same.
Peter
November 21, 2013
:`(
rest in peace Jimmy
N S
November 17, 2013
Just started watching this season of Ax Men and I have to say the show is missing something now! Jimmy and James you two were the missing piece of the puzzle. So sorry for the loss of your father James....may God heal the pain in your heart. Even us fans feel the loss. God bless you Jimmy, James and Smith family!!!!
November 16, 2013
After watching the opening of this year's Ax Men, we were concerned about Jimmy and found that he had passed in Nov, 2012. Our condolences to the Smith family.
Lori Seese
November 12, 2013
RIP YOU ARE MISSED
Steven Evans
November 10, 2013
Rest in Peace Jimmy...Was a Big Fan of the show, Still am. Miss seeing you on the new ones.....Loved ya Man!!!! We will always Miss you...
November 10, 2013
Rest in Peace Jimmy....God Bless you.......Was a Big Fan.
Kenneth Smith
November 9, 2013
My name is KenSmith of Bay City Michigan I wonder if there's any relation My mother Kathleen Died of cancer So I feel the families pain Much love and respect I live at 205 North Grant Bay City Michigan 48708
Kristie Warner
November 9, 2013
My fiance and I follow the show pretty closely and we realized we had not heard anything about Big Jim or Lil Jimmy in quite some time and kept seeing the other boys run their boat, so I googled when I couldnt find anything about his status on History Channel.com
We loved watching him and his son on the show through the best of times and the worst of times, we are deeply sorry for your loss and hope History Channel does something to commemorate him and his hard work.
You will be missed, even by those who only knew you through our tv's you reached our hearts. Rest In Peace.
Our deepest sympathies to the family. God bless you during this difficult time.
Michael A.
November 9, 2013
Jimmy I am sorry to see you go. The show will not be the same without you and your son. God Bless
Elizabeth Baker
November 9, 2013
I have wondered for a year what happened to Jimmy and just read his obit. I am so sorry to hear of his death. God bless his family and hos soul as he is resting with the angels now.
amanda calvert simpson
November 5, 2013
I had been watching the marathon catching up on the show and searched the s and s guys and sadly saw this obituary. We will miss watching him.
dustin finley
November 5, 2013
go get some logs in heaven buddy
Bob Forbes
November 5, 2013
Very special man truly a pleasure to watch and enjoy on ax men . Will be surely missed .God bless and rest in peace .
Helena Dominguez
November 5, 2013
To Jimmys family , we will miss Jimmy. I still. watch the Ax Men and he will be missed very much. May God bless you all.
Helen Dominguez. Florida
Roy Fleshman
November 5, 2013
interesting peerson.its all good now at peice now.
God Speed James
Eileen Timmons
September 28, 2013
I will miss you Jimmy enjoyed watching you Thoughts and prayers to the family and may you rest in peace.
Cavia Moir
September 19, 2013
RIP Fighter
Good wishes to son James
Amanda Otway
September 19, 2013
R.I.P Jimmy...im saddened to hear you lost ur battle with cancer...looks like god needed a dedicated hard working loveable angel. James & family stay strong! James ur dad is shining down on you everyday and he will give u his strength to help u through these hard times.
Stay strong
love alway
Amanda
Marc McCrater
July 26, 2013
I admired the fact that he had his own business and he loved Most Of The Time his work.RIP
Becky Lipscy
July 23, 2013
Sorry to hear about the loss of Jimmy Smith. What a fighter. James your father loved you. I call his yelling passion. Hope to see you on the next season of Axe Men.
Julie Jones
June 21, 2013
Thanks for letting us get to know you Jimmy,James you hang on in there my luv,hope to see you back in the water soon kind thoughts are with you and any other family,from the Jones family,nantyglo
ebbw Vale Gwent,south Wales,United kingdom
:|
Ricky smith
June 10, 2013
I like S&S loging. me & my borther never mest a show hope james keeps he's dads s&d going. ricky smith
June 9, 2013
Sorry to hear of the loss of Jimmy. I think he fought the good fight till the end. James you have some memories, good or bad...you know what to do with them. Hang in there buddy "that man your father,"really did love you deep inside within his heart. That love is always there for a father to his son.....always. Hope to see you back soon on the show doing what you do best! Mesa, Arizona
steph keefer
June 3, 2013
Jimmy u will be terribly missed on the show...at least now your pain has ceased and u can finally take a rest...james so sorry about your loss...my heart goes out to the family.
Michael and Anna Worrell
June 3, 2013
Rest in peace Jimmy. You will be missed by many . We loved watching every moment of Ax-Men. James we are sorry for your loss.
shannon foley
June 3, 2013
I am truly sorry for your loss and my heart and prayers are with the family. I was an avid watcher of ax men and the show will not be the same without jimmy. Although I do not know him personally my heart is still saddened by the loss. My prayers are with you all.
The Helmick's
June 2, 2013
We light this candle to always remember you! May it burn in your memory forever!
The Helmick's
June 2, 2013
Jimmy you will be missed. May God be with you and all your pain be gone. You will truly be missed.
Brandi Dukes
June 2, 2013
May you find peace.
Tony DiCioccio
June 2, 2013
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Jimmy and may you all find peace and love in this sad time.
Timothy Coker
June 1, 2013
Thanks for all your entertaiment. Sorry to see you go you will be missed! Glad your not suffering no more. And watching from heavin! With the rest of us.
joe jelen
May 25, 2013
Jimmy you will be sadly missed the show won't be the the same we love you
len peele
May 24, 2013
may you rest in peace, jimmy...miss you, brother
May 22, 2013
Miss you on the show! You were the show!!
May 12, 2013
We enjoyed watching ur show u were great
May 7, 2013
REALLY ENJOYED WATCHING JIMMY. HE WILL SURELY BE MISSED. GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND ESPECIALLY HIS SON JAMES. WE ENJOYED YOU TOO AND HOPE YOU WILL BE BACK ON THE SHOW SOON. "THE NORMANS OF FLORIDA"
Michelle Rippy
May 5, 2013
My family and I enjoyed watching you each week. Prayers go out to your family that is left, in a short while you will be able to rejoice with them all again.
May 5, 2013
He was a icon on the show and will be missed
EDWARD WINDOM
April 28, 2013
i liked watching the show buddy , we love u man
Angel Sweeney
April 21, 2013
May you R.I.P James;) our thoughts and prayers to the smith family. For u are with god now celebrating a better life where there is no pain,no suffering ever were one day you will see everyone in your family and have an even bigger celebration. We all miss and love you even though we do not know one another watching the show weekly we all start to feel as family!!!;) till we all see you again one day, Angel ;-)
melissa hamilton
April 18, 2013
We are deepley sadden by the loss of jimmy are prayers goout to his family ax men wont be the same with out him
luke bush
April 18, 2013
I loved your passion... you will be missed! It takes a real man to take on a challenge like he did. Always a hero
Donna Bartlett
April 16, 2013
We watched you every week and we will miss you may God bless your family
Ray Bartlett
April 16, 2013
I watch ax man every week and I will miss you jimmy
d j nichols
April 14, 2013
You will be greatly missed by so many people you never new.
Joseph C Richardson III
April 9, 2013
My Prayers and thoughts go out to James's family. I enjoyed watching James and Jimmy on the show. You two never saw eye to eye. You two made the show and kept me laughing. Hope to see Jimmy back on the show soon. RIP James. You are in a better place now.
chris perreault
April 8, 2013
A man with a lot of courage and dignity...R.I.P jimmy and my condolences to the family...ecpecially James..
RENE Mitchell
April 7, 2013
R.I.P.JIMMY YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE.LOVED WATCHING YOU AND YOUR SON ON THE SHOW YOU WILL BE MISSED.CONDOLENCES TO YOUR FAMILY.
angel reeves
April 7, 2013
so sorry to hear about jimmy my heart goes out to the family. he put on a strong front and fought hard. rest in peace he will be missed greatly
jim andrea
April 7, 2013
A man with alot of GUTS!!!.
chris & sheila major
April 7, 2013
The show will not be the same. So sorry for the loss..may you rest in peace, condonlences to the family.
Daniel Gerike
April 7, 2013
Jimmy will be missed my wife and I Loved the show we still watch the show.Jimmy was a hard man but he had to be even though his son and and him didn'always see eye to eye they still had each others back every one has it in there life at one time or another his son James I belive will make a exelent logger and will do just fine . Our hearts and prayers goes out to his family may God be with all of you in the loss of Jimmy and may he comfort all of you and strenghten your in your sarrow in the loss of Jimmy .
Kathy Malec
April 7, 2013
Dear James,
We were watching the Axmen this Sunday morning and my husband said wonder where Jimmy is as they didn't show him on the show. I'm so very sorry to hear that he had passed, we both loved watching the show and will miss seeing your dad with you. Jimmy is now in a better place and his suffering is over, I'm hoping you continue the show as it has been a pleasure to watch. Please know that our thoughts & prayers go out to you and your family at this difficult time. Take care & God Bless
Kathy & Jim Malec
Linda Nutter
April 2, 2013
Jimmy will be very much missed. I enjoyed him in Ax Men every week ever since he had been on it. My very best to young James and the rest of the family. I lost my husband, John, in September of 2012, but we always watched the show together.
tina falin
March 24, 2013
Prayers for the smith family. Rip.
Aaron Owens
March 23, 2013
RIP Mr Jimmy
Aaron Owens
March 23, 2013
Rest in peace Mr Jimmy the show will not be the same without u may God Bless your Soul 1.LOVE
Robin Maul
March 21, 2013
We are going to miss you Jimmy safe in the arms of Jesus God bless Your family
LeighAnn Conley
March 14, 2013
I am saddened to learn of Jimmy's passing! This is such a sad time! Jimmy was a wonderful man and was a true hit on AX MEN and now has become a true hero to all who watched him every Sunday! Jimmy you will be greatly missed in our hearts, minds & in our televisions!! God speed my friend!
Glen & Marcia Tackett
March 10, 2013
We just learned that Jimmy had passed away. We are so sorry to hear that. We are faithful watchers of the show Ax Men and we will really miss Jimmy. We hope James will continue what his dad started. RIP Jimmy
Alessia Peterson
March 10, 2013
Love you and your going to be missed. Me and my dad james are always watching AXMEN together. It was an honor watching you and son get those logs. Stay strong lil james jr and stay healthy. Continue to keep your head up and log on.
James Peterson
March 10, 2013
I just learned that jimmy pasted away. It was shocking to see him in that condition. I remember when they was heading to florida to start logging on the swanee river. RIP jimmy you will be missed. I love the show! Lil james keep the faith and keep logging. Your father would of wanted it that way. My prayers goes out to you and family. Stay strong and healthy.
James Peterson
March 10, 2013
I'm deeply hurt that jimmy past away. I love the show. My prayers goes out to the family. Lil jimmy don't give up still go get those logs. That's what your father would of wanted. Stay strong!
From my daughter and I
James Koehn
March 5, 2013
I just learned jimmy passed on, I'm really sorry to hear this.. I loved watching him on Ax Men, I hope James picks up where his father left off... Jimmy RIP My friend you'll be missed... James Koehn ( Greenville Ca.)
Lindsey Nyberg
March 5, 2013
Jimmy may you rest in peace. May your family be blessed.
With love from our family to yours...
Tim Porter
March 4, 2013
Very sad to hear of Jimmy's passing. My daughter Sydney and I are big fans are we're very entertained. Thank you for those memories:). RIP
kristina klepper
March 3, 2013
I loved watching you on Axmen with ur son. I watched the episode of you leaving hospital to go home and i cried so hard as i had to do the same with my dad. You will be forever missed. R.i.p . The show will not be the same. God bless your family.
T Kilgore
March 3, 2013
So sad... u will be missed.
Mr. & Mrs. Tilton
February 28, 2013
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through
Holli Harding
February 25, 2013
I will never forget you, Jimmy. I wish I had the chance to have met you. I never even knew of underwater logging til I saw Axmen. Immediately when I saw your face and witnessed your strong presence and authority, you reminded me of my father. You looked so much like him.....I miss you, so so much--and I never met you---My condolences to your friends and family....You were all blessed to have been a part of this legendary man's life.
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