Jim
R.
Smith
Obituary
James R. Smith, 85, of Carmel, passed away at his daughter’s home in Fort Wayne on Thursday, November 30, 2023, surrounded by his family. Jim was born in Evansville on March 1, 1938, the son of (the late) Marion O. “Smitty” Smith and Lois W. “Billie” (Redman) Smith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sonna Lu (Fahl) Smith in 2008.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Kathy (Andy) O’Shaughnessy of Fort Wayne; sons, Greg (Ellen) Smith of New Albany and Pat (Nikki Barnes) Smith of Indianapolis. Jim was a grandpa of five: James and Hannah Smith, Ryan, Riley and Regan O'Shaughnessy, and great granddaughter Eleanor Ruth Smith.
Jim served as a dental technician his entire life and spent his last 25 years working at the Indiana University Dental School in Indianapolis, until he retired at age 83! Jim loved to fish, canoe and camp. He loved watching the Indianapolis Colts games with his son, Patrick and grandsons Ryan and Riley. Jim loved Indiana basketball and loves to recall the glory days of Indiana University basketball during the reign of coach, Bobby Knight. All this, despite the fact that two of his children, Greg and Kathy, graduated from Purdue University. Jim grew up in Paoli, Indiana and played center for the Paoli High School basketball team. He also ran cross-country in the off season to stay at the top of his game.
Memorial Services 3:00pm Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne. The family will receive friends from 2-3pm at the funeral home.
Memorial Options:
Isaac Knapp Dental Education Foundation
Make checks payable to: IKDEF for Dental Technician Scholarships
Mail to: Isaac Knapp Dental Education Foundation
PO Box 97
Arcola, IN 46704 (Memo: In memory of James R. Smith)
Or electronically: https://ikdds.org/ikdef/#donate
Parkview Home Health and Hospice
1900 Carew St. Ste 6
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Memo: In memory of James R. Smith
For those who live in the Carmel/Indianapolis area, the family has also scheduled a memorial service in Carmel at 3:00pm Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 1605 E. 106th St. Indianapolis IN 46280. The family will receive friends from 2-3pm in the church.
Services
Condolences
When uploading images, please allow the images to fully transfer before submitting form. Image thumbnails will appear below the comment box.
Comment required for image uploads.
20 total images or 20Mb max.
Jim and I were co-workers at Indiana University School of Dentistry. He was a gentleman and a scholar. Jim was very helpful to the dental students over the years. He will be missed.
Please know that I am sending my sincere condolences for your dad. He was a wonderful human being. Remember so well being around Jim and Sonna. Lots of fun. May God bless each one of you.