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James Smith Obituary
Of Upland, California passed away peacefully at home on January 19, 2015 at the age of 90. He was born May 27, 1924 at the original San Antonio Hospital in Upland, California. He graduated from Chino High School, Whittier College and USC. Jim was an educator and retired from the Upland School District in 1984, having served as a teacher, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and principal of Baldy View and Foothill Knolls Elementary Schools. He was a proud veteran of World War II, having served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps. Jim is survived by the love of his life, Anne (Papac) Smith, his wife of 68 years and his two sons James L. Smith (Sue) of Upland and Richard G. Smith (Arleen) of Victorville. He has four grandchildren, Jennifer (Sean) Luebbers of Upland, Kelly (Nathan) Mills of Waxhaw, North Carolina, Kerstin (Tom) Devereaux of Alta Loma, and Ryan Smith (Lyndsi Moretti) of Alta Loma. Jim is also survived by his six great-grandchildren; Chandler and Trevor Luebbers, Delaney and Joshua Mills, and Tiffany and Emma Devereaux. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Pearl (Jertberg) Smith of Chino. Jim enjoyed golfing, fishing, music and reading. But what he enjoyed most was spending time with his beloved family. He was a member of the Upland Host Lions Club and St. Joseph's Catholic Church. A memorial mass will be held at St. Joseph's, 877 N. Campus Ave, Upland on Friday, January 30th at 10 a.m. with entombment at Bellevue Memorial Park, Ontario. Rosary and viewing will be held on Thursday, January 29th at Stone Funeral Home from 5-8p.m. Donations may be made to The Braille Institute, 741 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029, or the charity of your choice.
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Memories and Condolences
for James Smith
Ronda Hein-Reedy
February 28, 2015
I was so sorry to hear about Jim. I have so many wonderful memories of the entire Smith and Papac family during summers at Newport Beach. Jim and Annie were always so kind to my grandparents, Fred and Cleo Hein, stopping in to chat with them and talk about family and old Chino friends. I am sorry I don't have a way to contact the family; hoping this reaches you.
Manette Conlin
January 29, 2015
Remember all your great times with your husband/father/grandfather Jim Smith. You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dave, Sally, and Jenna Papac
January 29, 2015
Uncle Jim was one of the nicest people that anyone could know. He and Annie would open their house to us on Christmas Eve, which was a wonderful tradition for many. He will be dearly missed. xoxo
Jim and Dana Lewis
January 29, 2015
Knowing Jim was a great pleasure. He always met us with his warm smile and kind words. He will be missed!
January 29, 2015
I will also remember him as being a classy wonderful man. We all loved you very much
Lynn Setlich
January 28, 2015
I guess it was almost 19 years ago that I was introduced to one of the best men I have known in my life . I had just moved to California from Nebraska. Ryan Smith and I had just meet a little time before that and on Saturday asked me to go to Papa's house to help clean the screens on the windows . I can still remember that day I had the best time just cleaning and talking with Papa . From that day on it was common practice that I went by to see Papa and grandma as much as I could . He helped me threw the death of my dad when I got back from Nebraska after my Dad's funeral Ryan and I went by to see him and he took me into his office we must have talked for a few hours about life and of course who was a better Team Nebraska or USC . He use to introduce me as his adopted grandson . Papa and grandma have done everything they could to make me feel like family . He had a way of making you feel loved , cared for and wanted . My nephew Blake came with us to see Papa one day and those two just clicked . Even when I couldn't stop by Blake wanted to go see Papa and grandma with Uncle Ryan . They would talk about football and Angels Baseball and Blake would be in heaven when he left there . Always asked if we could stop by and see him . There wasn't many people I allowed in but I want to thank papa for everything he has done for me over the years all the memories and just making me a small part of the Family . Papa you will always be in my heart , mind and daily thoughts .
Love always
Mike Skokan
Nate Mills
January 27, 2015
As an only child of mid-30 parents, I unfortunately never knew either of my grandfathers. I've been told many times that they were great men and I believe that to be true, however I couldn't help but feel a little cheated growing up. Thankfully thru my amazing wife Kelly and her very welcoming family I had the honor and priveledege of knowing Papa Smith for the past 15 years.
As many others have already noted, he had the amazing ability to make you feel welcome and loved no-matter who you were or your background. Many of my friends who spent an Easter or Thanksgiving at the Smith house can attest to this.
While not openly religious, he was the best example of unconditional love I've ever known. He loved his entire family with all his heart and I will forever be grateful to consider myself his adopted grandson.
Here are just a few memories of Papa I will always cherish:
1) Meeting him for the first time at the Yangzee Chinese restaurant in Ontario for the first of many New Years Eve dinners with the entire Smith family. Truly awful food but great company and memories!
2) Watching Papa and Nona dance at our wedding and thinking to myself - what an amazing example of a loving married couple after 60+ years.
3)Shooting hoops with him on their mini-basket in their garage. I'm not even sure he could see the basket but he still beat me more often than I beat him!
3a) Watching my daughter Delaney and son Josh shoot hoops with him in recent years. They loved it so much we had to get a similar mini-basketball hoop for our garage out here in North Carolina. Every time we pick up a ball we think of Papa.
4)The handful of times we were able to play golf at the old Claremont golf course. They were never my most competitve rounds - but easily some of my most memorable.
5) The Swedish blessing he gave before our meal every Easter.
6) The day 5 years ago that Papa and I took my then 4 and 2 year old up the Mt. Baldy ski lifts and had lunch at the top. I know it was a little crazy even thinking about getting on a ski-lift with an 85 year old and two small children - but he never hesitated!
6a) The smile on his face when we got back down the hill and told Nona and Kelly what we had done - and then of course - the "are you crazy" look they both gave me!
That was just a small glimpse of the Papa Smith I knew... my Papa.
Papa you'll forever be missed in this life - however, I know we'll see you again in heaven.
All my love - your Grandson,
christine ewart
January 25, 2015
My heart goes out to the Smith Family! My love and support to the whole family. He was a wonderful person who touched my life in a short time.
January 24, 2015
We were so sad to hear about the loss of Grandpa Jim; such a loving and kind person. May beautiful memories comfort you during this time of sorrow. God bless. With love, Sean and Annette.
Michael Tucker
January 21, 2015
My whole family will miss this wonderful man. I am so proud to call him a great friend and a role model. Sincere condolences, the Tucker family.
Linda Papac
January 21, 2015
Uncle Jim...so many memories with you and Auntie Annie. Thank you for always opening your home and lives to all of us...especially all the Christmas Eves that were spent with so many family n friends. We are lucky to have had you as an Uncle.... rest in the peace Jesus has promised us. Love you
Greg Setlich
January 21, 2015
I Remember:
You letting me play with your pool table when I was a kid. Very cool!
Your dog Frosty.
You and all of the Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins dancing in the living room to swing music---usually your house, our house, or Louie's.
Watching the moon landing with you and my Dad in Newport Beach.
You putting salt in your beer at Scotty's (Newport).
How happy you were at your 80th Birthday Party.
Your great smile! You sir, were a very, very, nice person. A perfect match for Kuma Annie!
If my wife isn't your biggest fan, she is tied for first!
Kuma Annie, many wonderful memories, thank you!
With love, Greg Setlich
Robert Papac
January 20, 2015
Uncle Jim, we had so many special memories from visiting you at Whittier, to Newport Beach, and at your house in Upland. Words cannot describe the gratitude that I have for you, and all that you and Aunt Annie have done for all of us. You will be missed, but you will always live in our hearts.
Nita Buckley
January 20, 2015
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. May God be with the family at this time. He was a good man and will be truly missed.
Most sincerely,
Nita Buckley
January 20, 2015
Dear Uncle Jim, We have such wonderful memories of you! Your life has been a Legacy of Love for all of us. You and Aunt Annie have been such an important part of our lives. We even saw the first men walk on the moon from your beach home! Thank you for loving us and making us feel special. We will miss you but rejoice in knowing that one day we will see you and all be together again. Love, Gail (Papac) Campbell, Richard & Kinzie Campbell
January 20, 2015
You will be missed
Penny Luebbers
January 20, 2015
What a wonderful man he was.... Even though we didn't get to see him to much... What a pleasure it was to sit and talk with,he always made us feel loved by the Smith family.. He was so loved by his family... Will truly be missed. Rip Mr. Smith... Love Dan and Penny Luebbers &Family
Christian Sorensen
January 20, 2015
Thank you for being my godfather and confirmation sponsor (and for all the easter bunnies.)
Love,
Christian
Jennifer Luebbers
January 20, 2015
Papa,
Thank you for being such a great grandpa to me. I will love you forever and miss you everyday. I was so fortunate to have had you as my papa.
Love Always,
Jennifer
January 19, 2015
We will miss you Uncle Jim. We have so many memories of all the wonderful times we had at Newport Beach and the wonderful family gatherings - too many to count. You and Aunt Annie were such a fun loving couple, a real inspiration to us all. Love, Vickie and Chuck Sorensen
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