Jim Smith died suddenly on Sept. 16 at Skagit Valley Hospital. He was born in Ashton to Guy and Dale Smith and grew up in Woonsocket in the apartment above the train depot where his father was depot agent.
Jim graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education and later received a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Moorhead State College in Minnesota. After teaching in Okinawa for a year for the Department of Defense, he taught in various elementary and middle schools, including Sacramento, Calif., Fargo, N.D., and Seattle, Wash.
After moving to La Conner in 1970, Jim worked as supervisor for the tutorial program at the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and launched his writing career as a columnist for the Sanborn Journal in Woonsocket and the La Conner Weekly News. In 1999, Jim topped off his working life by taking on a job as weekend barista at the Rexville Grocery just outside La Conner, Wash.
Jim’s greatest gifts were his sense of humor and his unconditional love and acceptance of family, friends and all people he came in contact with.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Saunders; his brother, Bill (Nancy); his twin sister, Joan Hegg (Marion); his sister, Ann Tollefson (Terry); and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held for Jim at La Conner United Methodist Church on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m. A potluck gathering will take place at Pioneer Park on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 1 p.m.