SMITH, James N. passed away on December 9, 2021 in Bay City, MI, age 77 years. Jim was born November 2, 1944, in Bay City, son of James "Joe" & Norma (Reed) Smith. He graduated in 1963 from T.L. Handy High School and married his classmate and love of his life, Karen L. Weber, on September 12, 1975. She preceded him in death in August 2014. As a teenager, Jim worked for Elmer & Charlene Harvey at E&L Mobile homes. Upon graduation in 1963, he became an apprentice wood pattern maker, a career he loved until age 62. He then returned to mobile home sales for several years. In 1962, Jim joined Big Brothers of Michigan, where he volunteered for over 14 years. He was an avid gun sportsman and a member of Linwood Sportsman Club and the Bay City Rifle Club. He also owned several motorcycles and enjoyed participating in both ice and dirt racing. He spent endless hours volunteering in the Bangor Township Schools, PTA, Bangor Band Parents, and the Bay City Road Runners Youth Wrestling Program.
Jim is survived by his loving children, Shari (Paul) Mehlhose of Bay City and their children, Daniel (Tracy), Gregory (Annelysse), and Renae; Mark Banaszak of Bartlett, IL and his children, Nicole, Michael, and Gina; Jeffery (Wendy) Slancik of Pinconning and their son, Zachary; Lisa (Patrick) Steffen of Essexville and their daughters, Emily and Megan; great grandchildren, Caleb and Emma Mehlhose; Gia, Alexis, Evelyn, Nickolas Banaszak; and Anthony Koehl; his sister, Louise (James) Anderson of Midland; James Zann, who was like a son to him; and special life-long friends, Lee Harvey, Doug Harwood, Alan Willett, Lee Dryer, and Bill Kochany. He was preceded in death by his parents, James & Norma Smith and dear friend, Dave Bedell. Special thank you to his dear cousin, Gage Spitnale, who he loved like a grandson. Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 11:00 am at Penzien-Steele Funeral Home, 608 N. Madison Ave., Bay City, with Patrick M. Steffen officiating. Private interment will take place at a later date. If you wish to give an expression of sympathy, please consider Brian's House, Essexville, MI.
Source: Penzien/Steele Funeral Home, Inc., Bay City, MI Penzien/Steele Funeral Home, Inc.
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Charles Manning
I have many good memory' s of Jim. We would hang out at E & L trailor sales with LeRoy & have a few beers.
We liked going Racing our cars on US 10 before it was finished. Jim always had headers on his Chevy.
I know Jim will be missed by LeRoy very much. He was a great Class mate. Do not forget the motor bikes
everyone rode. See you later Jim !
LeRoy Harvey (Harvey)
Jim was my best friend , done alot of things togeather some where cool some asn't but they happened . We lived in the best of times ,ALL of us did life was on our door step. lot of jobs, lots of ways to see each other( party) . We watch the girl , and the girls watch us. I'll miss he's friendship, but I still got those durty dasterly think that we did for memory's . I'm sure lots of you out there got a little story to share.
Drag Racing (Drifters car club ) , A little beer. A party,A girl what we know , Motor cycle and or a motor scotter adventure there al great things . House party's . Crusin RICHIE's Drive IN -looking cool.The old haunted house party's , traveling to the"THE BOX "in pruderville. Watching us at HANDY kick ass in Football -- what atime we had -- the best the world had to offer... we need to talk about it ,Save the memory's that's all we can take with uswhen we go .So - P.S. I'M not leaving ,I like it here.
LeRoy Harvey