Captain James T. (Jim) Smith died on Monday, September 22, 2014 at Hickory Pointe, Oskaloosa.
Born November 19, 1932 in Kansas City, Kansas, Jim attended Turner High School. He joined the Air Force at the age of 17. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force he joined the Marine Corps Reserves. In 1961 he was hired by Delta as their youngest captain at age 29. He flew for Delta Airlines until 1968. He left Delta to become an international pilot in the private sector. Jim was a certified FAA Instructor in both multi-engine jet aircraft and helicopters. He retired from flying in 2004 at the age of 72 and then moved to McLouth, Kansas in 2005 to be near family. He was a member of The Church of Christ, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The American Legion.
He is survived by his wife, Faye Smith; 2 daughters, Neva (Herman) Wittenberg and Ginger (Ronald) Beene; 4 grandchildren, Bobby Beene, Staci Wittenberg-Smidt, Heath Beene and Sean Wittenberg; 5 great grandchildren, Logan Wittenberg, Lanie Wittenberg, Hannah Beene, Chayton Smidt and Destin Smidt.
A Memorial Service will be 7 pm, Friday October 3, 2014 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home
Memorial contributions may be made to the James T. Smith Memorial Fund, sent in care of the funeral home.