Smith, James Robert 1923-2011

SMITH, GIBSON, LAQUET, HOWE, BUCKINGHAM, GROVE

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 5/12/2011 at 17:45:56

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa May 4, 2011)

SMITH, JAMES ROBERT, 87, of Olathe, Kansas, died on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas. Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2011, at Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon with Rev. Terry Roberts officiating. Burial will follow at the Leon Cemetery, Leon, Iowa. Memorials may be given to the Iowa State Patrol Honor Guard.

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa May 4, 2011)

JAMES ROBERT SMITH ... James Robert Smith, son of Fred and Lucy Smith, was born August 1, 1923 on a farm near Davis City, Iowa and died April 6, 2011 at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas at the age of 87 years, 8 months, and 5 days.

James was one of nine children. He spent his early years on farms in Decatur County, Iowa, attended Leon High School, and attended Iowa State University when it was Iowa State College. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1947.

On June 30, 1947 James was married to Ida M. Gibson, and they were blessed with one child, Phyllis Jean.

In 1947 James joined the Iowa Highway Patrol, which was later renamed the Iowa State Patrol. He served most of his years with the Patrol in the State Drivers License Division, where he later became State Director of that division with the rank of Major. In 1975 he was assigned to the Public Safety Administration and later to the State Patrol Headquarters. After his retirement from the State Patrol in 1978, he worked for the State DCI as an Administrative Assistant until his retirement in 1986. James moved to Gardner, Kansas ten years ago to be near family and to Olathe in 2010.

Preceding James in death were his parents; three brothers; and three sisters.

James is survived by his wife Ida of Olathe; daughter Phyllis Jean (PJ) and husband Doug Grove of Olathe; granddaughter Kelly and husband Rob Laquet and children Garrett, Kendra, and Krysan of rural Spring Hill, Kansas; granddaughter Jennifer and husband Keith Howe and children Carson and Kennedy of Shawnee, Kansas; two sisters, Sarah and husband James Buckingham of rural Leon, Iowa and Rosetta Buckingham of Leon; and other relatives and friends.

Decatur Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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