LIBERTY — James S. Smith, 59, handed away peacefully Tuesday night, Sept. 13, 2022, at his house, following a four-year battle with most cancers.
James was born Might 26, 1963, in Youngstown, the son of Stephen Paul and Alice L. Flink Smith.
Jim was a Liberty Township police officer for 25 years, retiring in 2017, and beforehand was an officer in Struthers for 5 years. He began the primary Ok-9 unit on the Liberty Police Division. His Ok-9 co-officer was Valor, who saved his life twice on responsibility. Jim was a 1981 graduate of Cardinal Mooney Excessive Faculty and the Youngstown State College Police Academy.
Jim was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Hubbard, Liberty Township Fraternal Order of Police, Knights of Columbus and the Avalon tennis membership. He felt most at peace spending time at Lake Milton boat membership. He performed the trumpet for the Warren Junior Navy Band and performed semi-professional soccer for the Youngstown Cobras. He owned and cared for 26 husky sled canine and traveled to race them. For a few years, he supplied DJ companies as Jim Smith, DJ Productions. He was an avid Las Vegas Raiders fan, however most of all, Jim cherished all of the actions of his grandkids. Household meant all the things to him.
Jim is survived by his spouse, Tricia D. Barnett Smith, whom he married on June 10, 2006; daughter, Alyson Smith and fiance, Chad Smathers of Girard; three grandchildren, Deklan, Axel and Adalia; three brothers, Stephen (Eva) Smith of Poland, Gary (Judy) Smith of Struthers and Pat (Kathy) Grant of Hermitage, Pa.; father-in-law, David Barnett of Austintown; and brother-in-law, Troy (Mary) Barnett of Canfield. Loki, his beloved Norwegian Forest cat was the perfect remedy he had.
He was preceded in loss of life by his mother and father; son, Trent Alexander Swan, who died April 13, 2021; Ok-9 police canine, Valor; brother, Frank Smith; mother-in-law, Karen Barnett; and grandmother, Mary Minick.
Calling hours will probably be from 3 to five p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, on the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral House, Niles.
A Service of Christian Burial will probably be at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, on the funeral house. The Rev. Michael Swierz will officiate.
Burial will probably be in Greenhaven Cemetery, with an escort from the Liberty Police Division.
Memorial contributions could also be made to New Lease on Life (animal rescue), 2773 E Midlothian Blvd., Struthers, OH 44471.
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