James Robert Smith

New Brighton, MN - James "Jan" Smith passed away on October 3rd, 2025. Born September 11th, 1942 in Shenango Location, a tiny mining town outside of Chisholm, MN, he was the second oldest with five sisters.
On a trip to Minneapolis in 1967, Jan met his wife-to-be, Joanne Olson, 17 days before he was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. After he returned, they were married soon after the Moon Landing in 1969. Just a month ago. they continued their annual tradition of celebrating their anniversary by going down the Giant Yellow Slide at the State Fair. They were married 56 years.
Among his many accomplishments, Jan worked as an electrician for the mine, studied to become a pilot, became a flight instructor, and earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota. While studying at the U, he was one of the earliest computer programmers in the age when computers were the size of rooms and programs ran on punch cards.
Jan worked as an engineer for 16 years before reinventing his career with a successful software development business.
Throughout all of this, Jan was also an avid photographer. He and Joanne would sell their nature shots at art shows, and he taught sold-out photography night classes at the local school.
Later in life, Jan's devotion to his faith led him to become a Christian writer. He wrote a blog that received hundreds of thousands of views, and even compiled his favorite writings into a book.
Jan accomplished an amazing amount in his life, but if you asked him, the role he'd be most proud of was that of being a father to 4 loving children. They miss him dearly.
Service Monday 10/13 at 11AM at Vertical Church St. Paul, visitation an hour beforehand and also Sunday 10/12 from 5 - 8PM at Washburn-McReavy New Brighton Funeral Chapel.