image_469James T. Smith, 69, passed away peacefully on Friday December 2, 2016 at his home in Conneautville.  He was born August 13, 1947 in Frenchburg, KY to the late Bill and Gloria (Carpenter) Smith.  He married Carol Virginia James.  She survives.

James worked for Summerhill Township for nearly 22 years and was proud of the work he did.  He was an Army Veteran serving our country in the late 1960s and earning the National Defense Service Medal.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as watching Westerns and reruns of Hee Haw.  His love of Blue Grass music led him to play banjo for the “Lazy Grass” band for approximately 17 years.  He enjoyed his pets,  especially his horses and his late dog, Heidi.  He loved his family dearly.  His bigger than life personality and his sense of humor will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife Carol; seven children, Melinda Cutright and her husband John of Michigan, Misty Kobow of Linesville, Mike Bahny and his companion Nadine of Tacoma, WA, Walter Bahny and his wife Diane of Carlton, Michigan, Joseph Negron and his wife Donna of Monroe, Michigan, Margaret McLaughlin and her husband Jeff of Monroe, Michigan and Judy Ulrich and her husband Jay of Taylor, Michigan; thirteen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren including two very special granddaughters, Savannah Durrant and Miranda Grove whom he helped raise and in turn they helped care for him over the past several years; three siblings, Sheryl Havens and her husband Phil of Mt. Orab, Ohio, Ada Smith of Morehead, Kentucky and Jonathan Smith of Morehead, Kentucky; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no public services as James requested. His remains were donated to the Humanity Gifts program where they will be used at LECOM to further scientific research and education.

Donations can be made in his name to Hospice of Crawford County 464 Pine St. Meadville, PA 16335 or the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Rd., Meadville, PA 16335.

All arrangements have been entrusted to McCauley Funeral Home, 1405 Main St., Conneautville, PA 16406.