James Smith

On July 30, 2013 at 7:40 AM, heaven received a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather, James Paul Smith, age 89. He was born in Alliance, Ohio on January 1, 1924, the son of the late James Corbett and Isabella Cobbs Smith and was known as “J. Paul or Paul” to those close to him. He was honorably discharged from both the US Navy and US Marines as a World War II Veteran on January 13, 1946. Because of his service to our country, he received the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, American Area and Asiatic-Pacific Medals. On October 9, 1948, he married his loving sweetheart, Grace Edna Myers and they celebrated 64 amazing years together. J. Paul was a board member of Quaker Canyon Camp, Stoney Glen Camp and Camp Gideon. He was also very active in the Boy Scouts of America. J. Paul was a member of the Alliance Friends Church and served as treasurer of his Sunday School Class. Paul retired from the Alliance Machine Company where he was a machinist and known as “Red” or “Smitty”. He also enjoyed working with wood and built the home they have resided in. Paul enjoyed his regular cup of decaf senior coffee and conversation with friends at McDonalds. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife Grace and his children, brothers and sisters, extended family and friends. J.Paul is survived by his wife Grace, three daughters Candi (Tom) Smith Fritsch, Judy (Ed) Smith Felton Kibler, Jeanette (Tom) Smith Tanner; one son James Paul Smith Jr; 14 grandchildren, Natalie (Ron) Hardy, Valerie (Michael) McGrath, Melody Felton, Nicole Kibler, Allen Kibler, Lorena Kibler, Nathan (Sarah) Fritsch, Pam Fritsch, Krista (Steven) Siefken, Andrew (Maria) Fritsch, Jacob Smith, Ben Smith, Dan (Stephanie) Tanner, David (Kelly) Tanner; 24 Great Grandchildren Caroline Felton, Brandy McGrath, Audrey McGrath, Wyatt McGrath, Adorian Fowler, Akeila Kibler, Allyson Hardy Brandon Hardy, Randy Felton, Danny Felton, Mason Kibler, Bryce Kibler, Hannah Siefken, Micah Siefken, Kaj Fritsch, Calvin Fritsch, Claire Fritsch, Jessica Tanner, Alexandria Tanner, Katie Fritsch, Ryan Coulter, Emma Tanner, Aubrey Tanner, Dominic Tanner; 3 Great Great Grandchildren Angel Fritsch, Jaden Coulter, Inara Coulter. He is also survived by two brothers David Smith, Herbert A. Smith and four sisters Evelyn Shreve, Dorothy Chapman, Patricia Ruhl, Rose Marie Hughes and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his brothers Rolland Smith and Robert Thomas Smith, two sisters Mary Smith and Marie Smith, a nephew Rob Smith and a granddaughter Carla Fritsch. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM on Saturday August 3, 2013 at Alliance Friends Church. Friends may call at the church on Friday August 2, 2013 from 6-7:30 PM and the half hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will take place in Highland Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made in J. Paul’s honor to Camp Gideon 7261 Salineville Rd NE Mechanicstown, OH 44651 or Alliance Friends Church 1307 West State Street, Alliance, OH 44601. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home Sebring, OH, (330) 938-2526.

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