| 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
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