Friends, family members, and admirers packed St. John\u2019s Episcopal Church in Crawfordsville Thursday\u00a0to say goodbye to and celebrate the life of a good man.<\/p>\n
An honorary alumnus of Wabash, he exemplified the Gentleman\u2019s Rule that is the single code of conduct here.<\/p>\n
But \u201ca good man\u201d is still the first description that comes to mind when people ask me about Jim Smith H\u201950, who died July 15 at Marquette Manor in Indianapolis at the age of 91.<\/p>\n
\u201cJim lived his faith,\u201d Rev. Jan Oller said. \u201cJim was kind and caring. He was gracious and a \u201cgentleman\u201d in all senses of the word.<\/p>\n
\u201cLife was what it was he did what he needed to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
A good man.<\/p>\n
I had been a member at St. John\u2019s for almost a year before I realized Jim and his wife, Susie, had sent four sons to Wabash. Then it made sense to me\u2014why Jim would frequently stop me after the worship service to talk about the importance of the liberal arts. He read the College magazine I edit, had a suggestion or two, but mostly was simply encouraging. Our conversations brought together our shared faith, as well as\u00a0our shared passion for this form of education.<\/p>\n
Jim made sure his sons received that education. He had earned his engineering degree at Purdue, but often told me\u00a0he wished he had been taught in the liberal arts.<\/p>\n
“The study of the liberal arts gives students today an opportunity to confront the questions about what they really believe,\u2019 he once said. “It also gives them skillsets in writing, in thinking things through, and having an opportunity to debate those questions with other students and faculty.\u201d<\/p>\n
I think he\u00a0spent his life creating that sort of education for himself, and living out its virtues.<\/p>\n
Giving back and serving the community were just as important to Jim.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are successful in life or business, you should always give back as much as you can. It\u2019s what people should do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
And so he did.\u00a0Jim helped build the philanthropic infrastructure of the whole county, and his legacy\u00a0will continue to support people and programs here for years to come.<\/p>\n
I saw part of that work at St. John\u2019s and at Wabash.<\/p>\n
But what I remember best about Jim was the way he carried himself through all this. He had a reassuring smile and the quiet charisma of a man of faith making sure what needs to be done gets done. He made others in the room want to do the same.<\/p>\n
From what I hear, he carried that grace to his last days.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite his\u00a0failing health over these last\u00a0several years, he still held onto hope and faith,\u201d Rev. Oller said.\u00a0\u201cFaith is a daily choice made anew every morning. Jim didn\u2019t complain but waited quietly for his Lord, even as he was less able to do everyday things. He\u00a0didn’t complain about needing a walker. He still cared for Susie, visiting her in her new surroundings even when doing so meant he needed to rest once he traveled from his apartment to hers.\u201d<\/p>\n
His honorary alumnus citation reads in part, “you model for younger generations what it means to be a service-minded citizen, and this community is stronger and more robust because of your love and dedication.”<\/p>\n
He did with grace what he needed to do\u2014in work, in play, in love.<\/p>\n
A good man.<\/p>\n
\u2014Steve Charles<\/em><\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n \u2022 Rev. Jan Oller’s homily for the Celebration of the Life of James. G. Smith<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Honorary alumni citation for Jim and Susie Smit<\/a>h<\/p>\n