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JAMES LAWRENCE SMITH was born February 23, 1924, in Tekamah, Nebraska to Earl and Ruth (Elliott) Smith. He passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2008, at the Elmwood Care Centre in Onawa, Iowa, at the age of 84 years.
James was life-long resident of Decatur where he attended school, graduating from High School in 1941. Following graduation he farmed with his family until 1945, when he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army. Jim was stationed in Korea and was honorably discharged on December 4, 1946.
On December 27, 1949, James and Phyllis Phelps were united in marriage at the Riverside Baptist Church in rural Tekamah. Their union was blessed with five sons, Dale, Calvin, Keith, Roger and Ted.
In 1951, James and Phyllis purchased the farm on County Road 32, three miles southwest of Decatur, where they farmed and raised their family. Jim did custom corn shelling for area farmers for several years. He also owned a pool hall in Decatur for a short time.
Jim enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors, playing cards and going to the casino. He was a member of American Legion Rogers-Crum Post 215 and VFW Gleason-Rogers Post No. 6926 in Decatur.
Jim and Phyllis lived on the family farm until 2006, when Jim’s declining health made it necessary for them to move to the Maple Villa Apartments in Decatur.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; son: Ted; brother: Ed and sister: Alice Hopkins.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife: Phyllis of Decatur; sons and daughters-in-law: Dale and Janet of Blair, Nebraska, Calvin and Susan, Keith and Peggy and Roger all of Decatur, Linda Smith of Alcester, South Dakota; six grandchildren: Marie (Mike) Sunderman, Kelly (Chris) Brown, Brian (Allison) Smith, Jayme Smith, Randy Smith and Stephanie Smith; five great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
GRAVESIDE MEMORIAL SERVICE: Friday, October 3, 2008, 9:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur, Nebraska
BURIAL: Hillcrest Cemetery with Military Honors by VFW Gleason-Rogers Post No. 6926 and American Legion Rogers-Crum Post No. 215
NO VISITATION
MEMORIALS: Donor's Choice
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