SMITH, James Richard

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Published Tuesday, October 18, 2011 - James Richard Smith passed away Oct. 14, 2011 in Lake Havasu City at the age of 88. Jim was born April 2, 1923, in Newton, Kan., to Richard and Ruby (Atkinson) Smith. Jim proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps enlisting in June 1941, and was honorably discharged in December 1945. Jim settled in Santa Cruz, Calif., where he was the owner and operator at Trails Trucking Inc., in nearby San Jose. Jim made Lake Havasu City his home 28 years ago. He was a member of The London Bridge Ham Radio Association, a life member of the VFW 9401, Hump Pilots Association and to the Scottish Rites Free Mason — Blue Lodge in Wichita, Kan. Jim is survived by his daughters, Pamela Sue Dunnett and her husband, Everett, of Lake Havasu City, and Donna Mae Smith, of Modesto, Calif.; his loving companion, Virginia West, of Lake Havasu City; brother, Gerald V. Smith and his wife, Charlotte, of Memphis, Tenn.; sister, Esther Flinn, of Derby, Kan.; grandchildren, Kollie Power, Philip Nelson, Katherine Nelson, Jesse Parks and Cole Parks; as well as nine great-grandchildren. Viewing and visitation will be Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to Lake Havasu Shrine Club, Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1775, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405, or New Hope Hospice, 500 N. Lake Havasu Ave. Suite B106, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403, or Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405, or the Alzheimer’s/Dementia Foundation of Lake Havasu, P.O. Box 1410, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.