James K. Smith
Service: 10 a.m. Thursday, June 28, at Vineyard Chapel, Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi, Calif.; Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the funeral home.
James Kenneth Smith, 80, of Stockton, California, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 21 (2018) after a three-year courageous fight with kidney cancer.
Jim was born in Vendor, the loving son of James and Ova Smith. Known to his family as “Buddy,” he was the eldest of seven children.
The Smith family moved to California In 1945. Jim was a high school graduate of Stockton College, and also completed his Associate Degree from Stockton College where he majored in the HVAC Industry.
On Feb. 13, 1959, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Martha Harmon, the love his life. During their 59 years of marriage, they raised three daughters. In 1972, Jim founded Smith Heating and Air with his partner, Kurt Smith, where he became known for his integrity and superior workmanship. He was an avid outdoorsman; enjoying hunting and fishing with his grandsons.
Jim always looked forward to his annual hunting trips to Colorado and enjoyed trips to Monterey golfing with friends. He was a past member of the Stockton Houndsmen Association, and a current member of the Linden Lions Club and Linden Athletic Boosters Club.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Martha; his daughters, Karen Lagorio (Richard), Kathy Thomas, Kim Sanchez; his seven grandchildren, Melissa Thomas, Courtney, James, and Michael Lagorio, Amanda McCoy, Maria and Vanessa Sanchez; his great-grandson, Jiovanni Belmar; and his five siblings, Lula Calkins (Jack), Donald (Pete) Smith, Joyce Bush (Harry), Doris Powers (Mike), and Carylon Criner (Eddie). Jim leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his younger brother Denver Eugene Smith and his beloved in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Harmon.
He will always be remembered by his family and many friends as an exceptionally kindhearted, hard-working man who loved farming, golfing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Friends and family are invited to Cherokee Memorial Park Evergreen Chapel, Highway 99 and Harney Lane in Lodi for visitation from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 27.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 28 in Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 North Beckman Road in Lodi.
Jim's family request any contributions in his memory be made to the Linden Lions Club, P.O. Box 233. Linden, CA 95236 or the: Linden-Peters Volunteer Firefighter Association, 17725 East Highway 26, Linden. CA 95236.
