James W. "Jim" Smyth

1932 - 2017

Smyth, James W. "Jim" James W. "Jim" Smyth entered into eternity with the Lord on December 23, 2017, in Kingwood, Texas. Jim was a devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Jim was born to James Kenneth Smyth and Mildred Morrison Smyth on January 7, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois. His family moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, when he was fifteen. He enjoyed telling stories of hitchhiking to Chicago to spend weekends with his teenage friends. He attended the University of Wisconsin and received a Bachelor of Science in Economics while a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After marrying, he served in the Army at Fort Carson, Colorado, and then raised four boys in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. He sold life insurance most of his adult life, mostly policies underwritten by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. His hobbies included golf, tennis, bowling, bridge, fishing and archery. He enjoyed attending the ballet and symphony. He was also active in the church with regular attendance and teaching Sunday School. He also enjoyed volunteer work with the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, victim advocacy, and childhood literacy. Jim was well known for his kind sense of humor. Jim is survived by his sons, Ken (Barbara) Smyth, Ed (Scarlet) Smyth, and Bill (Jane Grogan) Smyth; his daughter-in-law, Sue Cady Smyth; his grandson, Brian Smyth; granddaughters, Lauren Smyth (Casey) Power, Emily Smyth, Kelli Smyth (Alex) Jerve, Jamie Smyth, Carla Sotez; great-granddaughter Clara Power and many nieces, nephews, and other friends. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Frances Smyth, his youngest son Jim, his parents, and his sisters Barbara Felch and Bonnie Brown. A service celebrating Jim's life and faith will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at the North Shore Congregational Church, 7330 North Santa Monica Blvd, Fox Point, Wisconsin. A reception at the church will follow the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to your favorite charity in his name.