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James Smith Obituary
He always said, "You can't spell jerk without JK." But there was nothing further from the truth.
James Knox "JK" Smith IV, 35, passed away on May 6, 2017, surrounded by his family and dearest friends. He was a talented woodworker and artist, whose work can be found all over Cincinnati. He was simultaneously wise beyond his years and a kid at heart.
JK was born on August 19, 1981, in Ventura, California to James Knox Smith III and Rita Ann (Maliszewski) Smith. His formative years were spent playing in tidal pools, on soccer fields and in campgrounds. He loved science, dinosaurs, bugs and reptiles and became a surfer dude before his family moved to Loveland, Ohio.
His fascination with nature (and human nature) only grew with age.
He honed his artistic skills and sharpened his mind at St. Andrew Middle School, in Miami Township, and then Archbishop Moeller High School, in Sycamore Township. JK graduated with a bachelor of fine arts from the Art Academy of Cincinnati, with a focus in drawing and printmaking. While there, he helped organize The Stinks soccer team and was a member of the Shouting Choir.
Later, his regular medium became wood and he crafted his own method of fusing all sorts of wood together to make beautiful art, including the gavel-shaped tap handles at Taft's Ale House in Over-the-Rhine.
Social butterfly didn't begin to describe JK. He fed off the energy of others and gave it back in droves. He could talk for hours to friends, family and strangers alike (on planes, trains or the barstool beside him). People were drawn to his infectious laugh, quick wit and smile that went on for days. So many people called him brother, family.
On September 22, 2012, JK married the love of his life, Carrie Blackmore (Whitaker) Smith. He waited six years to ask, but she didn't care. Being with him was enough, as most who knew him understood. Together, they became world travelers and avid campers, collecting friends all over the globe, from Honduras to the Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia, and England. His dancing skills and karaoke performances are things of legend.
Most of all, he was an illustrious friend. The first to show up in his truck to move a piano. The first to offer a shoulder to cry on or a stern word of encouragement to whip you into shape. He got to employ his incredible talents as an instructor at the Art Academy woodshop for six years, helping students design and achieve their dreams, while continuing to hone his own incredible woodworking skills. More recently, he was working as a production artist, and yucking it up with his new work family at LF Creative Group, in Madeira.
JK is survived by his loving wife Carrie; his dad and mom, James Knox (Christine) Smith III; brothers Cody Smith, Josh Smith, Johnny Vasquez and Marc Mullen; best friend and sister-in-law, Katie (Joe) Klug; best friend Nick Galinari; brother-in-law Zach (Krista) Whitaker; in-laws Kathy (Ron) Foley and Bill (Sue) Whitaker; his beloved niece Georgia Mae and many, many friends and extended relatives. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rita (Maliszewski) Smith. Memorial contributions in JK's name can be made in person or by mail to The JK Smith Memorial Fund at Fifth Third Bank.
Per JK's wishes, a casual potluck Celebration of Life will be held 4-8 p.m. on June 2, 2017, in and around the reception center at Spring Grove Funeral Home (4389 Spring Grove Ave.) at Spring Grove Cemetery. Please consider carpooling and feel free to bring your own chair and a story about JK to share. Online condolences can be left at www.SpringGrove.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Mike Ullman
May 31, 2017
Rembering JK Smith
I first met JK on a soccer field where he attended a club soccer tryout. He had just moved to the Loveland area from Ventura, California and was looking for a team. I think he was maybe 12 or 13 years old. I could tell he was an outstanding player and athlete and his unique personality soon stood out as well. I spoke to him at the end of the session and he told me his name. I asked what JK stood for and he said James Knox. I replied, Like the president? He didn't roll his eyes but I could imagine him doing so when he responded, Uh, yeah coach. Like the president. I thought, Here's a young guy who already knows his mind.
JK made an immediate impact on our youthful team and quickly became a team leader. He was a very serious and successful soccer player and in typical JK style he was also serious about entertaining his teammates. JK was what can be described as a saliva-ologist. He could do something I had never seen before where a long string of saliva or drool would slowly emerge from his lips toward the ground maybe 2 feet long and he would then draw it back up into his mouth somehow. It was kind of mesmerizing in a somewhat disgusting sort of way. I think his teammates appreciated this ability as well.
At age 14 the team played indoor soccer after school and one time I had picked up several of the boys, including JK, in my minivan. Unfortunately, we became stuck in a major traffic jam on I-275 and just crept along for about 30 or 40 minutes. Being confined with five boisterous fourteen year old boys in a small space for an extended period of time is not a real fun experience. For some reason JK thought this would be a perfect time to interact with the drivers of the cars along side of us and behind us. I can't remember exactly what he was doing but I remember having to encourage him to please refrain from embarrassing me and from further contributing to the stress of this ordeal. After the game and upon dropping him off at home I recall him saying with a big smile on his face, Thanks for the ride coach. I bet you will remember this trip won't you? Well, 20 years later he is right.
It is customary for the coach to observe the condition of the players on the field and have them come off for a rest periodically. JK's enthusiasm for competing on the soccer field was also evident during these events. He would come off, get a quick drink of water and come up to me and say, I'm ready when you are coach. This was JK's polite code for Ok, I've been off the field for an entire minute. Get me back in the game. It didn't matter how hot it was or how the game was going. JK just wanted to be out there in the thick of it.
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At age 15 the team was to play in a tournament in Toledo and arrived on Friday evening. On Saturday morning at the hotel I noticed JK was acting a bit quiet and he seemed somewhat inhibited which was very unusual for him. I came to find out JK had brought along a few fireworks and the field by the railroad tracks near the hotel seemed like a nice place to use them on Friday evening. Apparently, things did not go off quite as planned and JK received a handful and face full of flash burn. Nothing really damaging but it was cause for his laying low for a day or so.
JK's passion for playing soccer and his passion to support his team was amazing. At age 16 JK dislocated his shoulder. It set him back for a short period while it healed and I know he couldn't stand not playing. Subsequently, if certain contact was made during play, the shoulder would come out of place and JK would have to come off the field. I could tell he was in great pain during the event but he learned to put the joint back in place and would go off by himself and do so. Then, he would say I'm ok coach. You can put me back in. This became a routine that I don't think most players would be able to tolerate. Eventually, when the shoulder became dislocated during the game, JK would not even come off the field to put it back in place. He just stopped for a few moments, took care of it and continued with play. I don't think everyone appreciated what that was like. But JK never once complained about it.
I always considered JK to be not only an outstanding soccer player but an outstanding individual. He was friendly to everyone, he encouraged his teammates constantly and he led the team by example. His sense of humor was a key component of his personality and he just seemed to enjoy laughing. JK provided the team with spirit.
My wife Ann and I were so very fortunate to meet up with JK downtown several times during the past few years. We were pleased and not at all surprised to see the solid man he had become. We had fun reminiscing about soccer and events from that period of life. We are still in shock to learn of his passing. I believe JK is an old soul. He had a wisdom about him as a youth and he pretty much seemed to lead his life on his own terms. We will miss him.
Mike Ullman
David Kuhn
May 21, 2017
You have Tammy and my condolences; we are in shock to read this. May be peace with him on the other side.
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