James Frederick Smith

James Frederick Smith (aka Jim Smith) passed away in Tucson on December 27, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Beatriz Montijo Smith; his brother, Doug Smith (Jackie) of Crystal River, Florida; his sons, Greg Smith (Linda) of Beaufort, South Carolina and Guy Smith (Alison) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; his grandchildren, Molly Smith and Dillon Smith; his niece, Vicky Tourbin (Ray) and his nephew, Brian Smith. He also was formerly married to Elise Fiber Smith, who survives him, and later to Luz Marina Gomez de Smith, who predeceased him. Jim will always be fondly remembered by family, friends and colleagues for being a consummate gentleman, loving husband, great father, believer in living a full life and in persons striving to achieve and achieving their full potential. He was passionate about his work in international development and dedicated most of his life to this worthwhile cause. He was born on July 6, 1928 and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from Shaker Heights High School. Jim then attended the University of Michigan where among other things he was a four year letter winner in varsity wrestling and team captain under his coach, friend and mentor, Cliff Keen. While at the UofM, he helped found and volunteered on the Joint Student Judiciary Council. Jim earned his undergraduate degree in 1950 and then attended the University of Michigan Law School and received his LLB in 1954. Jim also did post-graduate legal studies at the London School of Economics. Later in life, Jim received a Doctorate of Education from Syracuse University. Jim's law school studies were interrupted by military service – Jim served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. After a short period in private legal practice in Cleveland, Jim joined the Foreign Service where he truly found his passion. He spent the initial portion of his Foreign Service career working for the U.S. Information Agency. Later he joined the U.S. Agency for International Development, with his last posting as the Mission Director for the USAID mission in Colombia. Upon his retirement from the Foreign Service in 1992, Jim received the USAID Administrator's Distinguished Career Service Award, the agency's highest award for career service. Jim's Foreign Service career took him and his family to various countries, including Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia and Morocco. Jim retired from the Foreign Service in Tucson, Arizona, but continued to work on international matters, through teaching and consulting arrangements with the University of Arizona, Pima County Community College and other organizations. Jim also became certified to teach various subjects in the Tucson public school system and taught in a variety of schools in Tucson. Jim will be missed by all who knew him, but his legacy and spirit for helping others and the many lives he helped to improve as a result will live on. A private ceremony will be held in Tucson at a later date. Donations in Jim's name may be made to University of Michigan Wrestling Program, c/o The Victor's Club, 1000 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 or the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.