James G. Smith, 84, of Eau Claire died Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at HSHS Sacred Heart in Eau Claire. Jim was born on September 15, 1932, to Bernard P. and Anna K. (Mousel) Smith of Eau Claire. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from St. Patrick's High School, Class of 1950. On November 3, 1951, Jim met the love of his life, Joyce H. Veum, when he tried to sell her a coat at Stevenson's Ladies Wear where he was an assistant manager. They were married on July 17, 1954, at Immaculate Conception Church. In 1952, Jim and three of his best friends (Jim O'Keefe, Bill Roach and Dick Mahoney) decided to join the U.S. Coast Guard. In February 1952, the four friends joined up and were packed off to Alameda, CA, for boot camp. He was first stationed at Port Angeles, OR, aboard the U.S.C.G cutter, Winona, then attended electronics school in Groton, CT, after which he went aboard the destroyer escort, Falgout. While aboard the Falgout he went on a 6 month air-sea rescue tour off the Korean coast rescuing downed fighter pilots. In 1955, he was honorably discharged at the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class and was awarded Good Conduct, National Defense, Korean, and United Nations service medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation-Republic of Korea medal. Jim was very proud of his service to his country. After service, Jim returned to Eau Claire. At the encouragement of George Holgate of the Holgate Insurance Agency, he obtained his insurance license, started work with George, and so began his 62 year career in the insurance business. He loved working with and helping people, and had sincere and genuine concern for his clients' needs. His number one priority was providing the best possible customer service that he could, and because of these values, he achieved great success. Jim was an enthusiastic Green Bay Packer fan. He also enjoyed traveling, taking his family on trips across the country, and experiencing over 15 foreign countries with his wife, Joyce. He was also an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt, fish, snowmobile and to be an official loon watcher for the Northland College LoonWatch Program. And for 49 years, his most treasured place in the world was his cabin in northern Wisconsin on Sunfish Lake - Smith's Jackpine Hilton. There he could relax, unwind, enjoy the occasional Perfect Brandy Manhattan, and share his passion for the outdoors with his children and grandchildren, creating many happy memories for them. Jim is survived by his wife, Joyce of 63 years; daughter, Cynthia (Douglas) Legro of Oshkosh; three sons: Michael (Sue Schaefer) of Eau Claire, Robert of Helena, MT, and Steve of Asheville, NC. He was extremely proud of his 6 grandchildren: Andrew Shaw of Kaukauna, Alisa Shaw of Suamico, Lindsey (Jeff) Thomas of Eau Claire, Jerrod Smith (and special friend, Katie Young) of Eau Claire, Garrett Smith and Savannah Smith, both of Helena, MT. He was a great-grandfather to Kyla and Alexis of Suamico. He is further survived by his sisters-in-law, Naomi Smith of Eau Claire, Beverly Johnson of Larkspur, CO, and Connie (Francis) Boehm of Eau Claire; 4 nieces and 6 nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents and brother, Don, who passed away on January 1, 2017. Jim wanted to acknowledge and thank all his clients and friends whom he met while providing insurance throughout the years. He truly enjoyed what he did for all his clients. Jim also had great respect for Dr. Bill Hanson, Dr. Dennis Auth and Dr. Fadi Sabbagh, who provided compassionate care during his illness of the past several years. The family would also like to acknowledge and thank the nursing teams at Pine Grove Family Practice and Sacred Heart Hospital who provided exceptional care to him in the last 6 days of his life – especially nurses Darren, Jason and Lisa. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2017, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1712 Highland Ave., Eau Claire, with Father Donald Meuret officiating. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 53 following the Mass at the church. A luncheon will follow. Inurnment will be held at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, WI, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jim to the St. Francis Food Pantry, 1221 Truax Blvd, Eau Claire, WI 54703 (www.stfrancisfoodpantry.org) or to the Northland College LoonWatch Program, 1411 Ellis Ave, Ashland, WI 54806 (www.northland.edu/giving/give).

Service Information

Cemetery

Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery N4063 Veterans Way Spponer WI 54801

Visitation

Friday, March 3 2017 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 1712 Highland Ave. Eau Claire WI 54701

Mass of Christian Burial

Friday, March 3 2017 11:00 AM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 1712 Highland Ave. Eau Claire WI 54701