JO-MARY LAKE and EAST MILLINOCKET – James H. “Jim” Smith, 74, passed peacefully into heaven to join the love of his life, Lauretta, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007, after a short illness. He was born Sept. 5, 1933, in Caribou, the son of Ralph and Meta (Powell) Smith. Jim was born and raised in Caribou. He was a member of the Caribou High School championship basketball team. After graduation, he married Lauretta, attended police academy and in 1958 moved his young family to East Millinocket. After 14 years of service with the Maine State Police, he joined Great Northern Paper Co., where he worked for many years on the coater and as an oiler, retiring in 1988. Simultaneously, in 1967 at the age of 34, he began building, owning and operating Jo-Mary Lake Campground with Lauretta and their five children. His ability to make people laugh while tending to every-day tasks at the campground, such as getting garbage, fixing a broken-down tractor or digging a bean hole, contributed to making fun memories for many families. After raising their family, Jim and Lauretta enjoyed relaxing at their winter place in Naples, Fla., and attending the Fryeburg Fair. Jim loved spending time with his children and grandchildren going to the beach, riding the rides at the amusement parks, playing horses and cards at the kitchen table, and hitting the yard sales and buffets. No matter where life took him, Jim worked extremely hard, formed many wonderful friendships and enjoyed life to the fullest. Jim is survived by five children, Kim Glidden and her husband, Tom, of East Millinocket, Holly Pelkey and her husband, Bryan, of Mattamiscontis, Candie Smith and her husband, Bryan Speirs, of Gorham, Mary Smith of East Millinocket and James E. Smith and his friend, David Conner, of Caribou; 11 grandchildren, Andrew and Jon Glidden, Jennifer Civiello, Amy Witham, Elizabeth, Hillary and Jacob Pelkey, Zachary and Elliott Speirs and Brooke and Brodie Mackin; six great-grandchildren, Mikayla and Rebecka Glidden, Timothy and Maria Glidden, Kenadie Mackin and Noah Civiello; a brother, Dick Powell and his wife, Dawn; two sisters, Jackie Aucoin and Roberta “Bertie” Whitten, all of Caribou; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, with whom he shared nearly 54 years of marriage, Lauretta (Elliott) Smith, Jim was predeceased by his father, Ralph; his mother, Meta Golding; his stepfather, Tee Golding; and a brother-in-law, “Ike” Whitten. Friends are invited to visit with the family 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket. A service of remembrance will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Calvary Temple Church, Spring Street, East Millinocket, with the Rev. Ronnie Libby officiating. Friends are invited to share conversation and refreshments after the services at Calvary Temple. Gifts in memory of Jim may be sent to Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462 or to Ronald McDonald House of Bangor, 654 State St., Bangor, ME 04401. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com
JAMES H. ‘JIM’ SMITH
