Obituary of Jim Smith

James Thomas Smith, age 94, passed away on July 30, 2022, after a week with family remaining by his bedside in the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw. He was born on the home farm in Coderre, Saskatchewan on April 12, 1928, the fourth child of Charles and Alice Smith. He had six siblings, three sisters and three brothers, John and Dorothy Smith, Marguerite and Gordon Myhra, William and Edna Smith, Jean and Charlie Binner, Campbell and Mearl Smith, Sheila and Stewart Noess, who have all pre-deceased him.

James married the love of his life, Thora Inger Rasmussen on October 17, 1959. They worked together for over 60 years building their life, family and farm. They had three children, Sherry Smith & Blaine Drew (deceased), Ronald and Gaetane Smith, Charlene Smith and Garth May; five grandchildren, Ashley and Kristopher Kyle, Carter McIntosh, Dylan Lariviere, Dryden Smith, and Breanne Smith; and four great-grandsons, Slade Skjerdal, Landon Skjerdal, Zayden Kyle and Barden Kyle.

James loved and was loved by everyone. His family was the center of his world and always by his side. Some of the things he enjoyed were playing baseball and hockey, and in his adult years was known as Grandpa Gretzky. He was a tireless volunteer in his community working on the park and elevator committees, coaching hockey, and as a spare bus driver, taking teams to numerous sporting events, to name just a few. Most of all, he loved to visit with friends and family, and was always up for a card game or a road trip, especially to a casino.

We ask that you come and help us celebrate James’ life at 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 4,  2022 at the Coderre Community Centre. There will be a memorial at the Community Centre followed by a graveside ceremony at the United Church Cemetery.

Lunch is being provided at the Coderre Community Centre where we can be together and share stories, love, laughter and tears in remembrance of an amazing man.