James Smith

JAMES K. SMITH

Independence

James K. Smith, 51, of Independence, Iowa, died Friday, April 9, 2021, as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty with the Iowa State Patrol.

Jim was born Dec. 10, 1969, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Everett and Mary (Milder) Smith. He was a 1988 graduate of LaSalle High School in Cedar Rapids. Jim went on to study Criminology at Kirkwood Community College and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1992. He worked as a security guard and later as a counselor at Four Oaks in Bertram, Iowa.

On Aug. 14, 1993, Jim married Kathryn J. Glanz at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Together they had two amazing children, Zander and Jazlyn Smith.

On Dec. 10, 1993, Jim graduated with the 19th Basic Department of Public Safety Academy. Jim and Kathy lived in Fairfield, Iowa, for a few years before making their home in Independence, Iowa, in 1996. Jim was stationed with the Iowa State Patrol District No. 10 out of Oelwein, Iowa. In 1994, Jim became a member of the Tactical Team for the Iowa State Patrol. He served with this team for 26 years and led them for five. His team, brothers and sisters in blue, were a part of his family.

Jim was a member of Jesup Bible Fellowship. He served God on the elder board and through lessons to the congregation and youth groups. He also was a member of the praise team, where he played the drums to worship the Lord. Jim's devotion led him to spend time studying the Bible daily.

Quality time with his family was most important to Jim. He made them laugh every second of every day, and the memories of wheezing until their lungs hurt will be cherished forever.

Jim will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. He was an upholder of justice, a loving husband and father, a comedian, a humble man of God and a superhero. To this day, nobody has seen Batman and Jim in the same room.

Jim is survived by his wife of 27 years, Kathy Smith, Independence, Iowa; his children, Zander and Jazlyn; mother and stepfather, Mary and Tom Akin, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a brother, Jeff Smith, Wylie, Texas; a sister, Michelle "Mouse" Suchomel; father- and mother-in-law, John and Cindy Glanz; two sisters-in-law, Annie (William) Builta and Debbie (Andy) Van Ommeran; and several nieces and nephews. He also is survived by many extended family members and his brothers and sisters in blue.

He was preceded in death by his father, Everett Smith; and his grandparents, Ralph and Mary "Bert" Milder and John and Elsie Smith.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at Reiff Family Center-Funeral Home and Crematory in Independence, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 16, at the Independence High School Gymnasium. Pastors Matt Perez, Zane Hall and Paul Heppner will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making donations to the Official Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Jim Smith Memorial Fund at BankIowa, 230 First St. E, Independence, IA 50644.

This obituary does not fully describe our man of God. Jim Smith lived his life with integrity and morality serving Jesus as his Lord and Savior – he was the "Real Deal!" We are sure that when Jim met God in heaven, he heard a proud, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

To leave an online condolence, please go to www.reifffamilycenter.com under obituaries.