JAMES SMITH

1923 - 2017

JAMES SMITH James G. Smith, 93, of Las Vegas, peacefully passed away, at home, Nov. 19, 2016. He was born Oct. 11, 1923, in Los Angeles, to the late George "Buck" Smith and Lillian (nee Johnson). James was a 90-year resident of Las Vegas. He attended the historic Fifth Street School and Las Vegas High School. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army as a military policeman. He owned a Union Oil "76" gas station for many years. He was an Elk for over 50 years. He retired from the Clark County Sheriff's Department and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department as P#746. He was a pilot and loved everything about aviation history. He had many great memories. Some favorites featured his showgirl sister, Emily Nevada Smith Frye, and his brother-in-law, Jack Frye, TWA president. His other sibling was Dorothea Smith Killian, who was a wonderful artist. He was preceded in death by his two sisters; three children, JoAnn Humes, Jerrold Smith and James Smith; and granddaughter, Denzel Venturino. James is survived by five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and his three cats, Big Sister, Little Sister and Bucky. James never met a stranger and always had a story. James "PoPo" was loved by many and will be missed dearly by all. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at Canyon Ridge Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road, Las Vegas, NV 89130. Service following at 2 p.m., at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Nevada SPCA No-Kill Animal Shelter, 4800 W. Dewey Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89118.