James Ronald Smith

SHELBURNE, Vermont - James Ronald "Jim" Smith, 93, died Tuesday of natural causes at the Residence at Shelburne Bay in Shelburne, Vt.

Born in Baltimore, Md., he was the son of Horace Huffington and Alverta (Livingston) Smith. Jim grew up in Salisbury, Md., on the farm of his maternal grandparents surrounded by family and close friends. He attended Washington College, and served in the U.S. Army as a radio operator stationed in Japan in the years immediately following the Korean War.

After service, Jim moved to Washington, D.C., to continue his studies. He worked for the Federal Reserve, and eventually earned a law degree from Georgetown University. He built a career as counsel for banks, principally in Philadelphia, Penn., Charlotte, N.C., and Tampa, Fla.

Jim enjoyed sailing, backpacking, and woodworking. He singlehandedly restored a barn and constructed a simple weekend cabin on property his family purchased in Banner Elk, N.C.

Jim was a social person and easy to get along with. In his later years, as Alzheimers slowly obscured his memory, Jim displayed admirable courage and never lost his sense of humor or desire to be around people.

He leaves a daughter, Karen, of New Mexico; a son, David, of Vermont; and niece. Linda Barriocanal, of Delaware.

He was predeceased by two wives, Susan (Hoffman) of Washington, D.C., and Judith (Munson) of North Carolina; his parents; a brother, Stanley and his wife, Peggy; and nephew, Wayne, all of Maryland.

His family would like to thank the staff at the facility where he lived the final 10 years of his life for their dedication and work keeping him engaged and active. No service is planned at this time. Contact David Smith at dwri_smith@yahoo.com if you have memories to share.