James William Smith

James William Smith took his last breath on November 15, 2023, in Los Lunas, NM. He took his first breath on July 13, 1932, in Newcastle, Wyoming. His mother, Violet May Hurt was there to witness it. His father, Albert Moses Smith was probably at home with the four older children. Jimmy was raised mostly in rural Wyoming with his other nine siblings.

With his mother’s note of approval in his hand, he married our beloved mother, Rosemary Jeanne Boatright on October 13, 1951 in Worland, Wyoming. This union gave them three children: a son, Jay and two daughters, Lori and Stacie. Our mother once said that while dating, she told Jim if he wanted to continue dating her, he would have to learn to dance and so he did. Watching them glide across the dance floor was pure magic. They spent the next 38 years dancing in each other’s arms until he said goodbye to the love of his life in 1989.

Still a newlywed, he went to Korea to serve his country as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954.

Wanting more than working as a truckdriver to support his growing family, he enrolled at Chadron State Teachers College in Nebraska. Taking only 3 years, he graduated in 1960 with a degree in Math and one in Business Education. After graduation, we moved to Chugwater, Wyoming where he taught high school math. Although he enjoyed teaching, he still wanted more so we moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1963 where he worked as Computer Systems Analyst for 23 years before retiring in 1986.

Of all the things our father has done, his real love was his horses, starting at age 12 when he bought his first horse. In his youth, he worked as a jockey and eventually as a racehorse trainer. At an early age, our dad instilled his love of horses and the outdoors in all three of his kids. As a family, we were members of the Roadrunner Riding Club, competing at the Bosque Farms Rodeo Association arena, where Dad served as president.

After his retirement, Dad discovered Team Roping and eventually, Team Penning where he excelled because of his horsemanship and keen eye for a good horse. In the words of our illustrious father, “I was hot sh*t!”

Dad once said that he worked so he could play with horses. All in all, Jim Smith was a country cowboy who worked in the city so he could escape to the country with his horses, wife and kids.

He was met in Heaven by his Heavenly Father, his beloved wife, his mother and father, his 6 brothers; John, Delbert, Charles, Frank, George and Doug Smith; and one sister, Josephine Porter.

He leaves behind his children; Jay Smith (Becky) of Oklahoma; Lori Cain (John) of Kerrville, Texas and Stacie Smith Kirtley of Bosque Farms, New Mexico. Five grandchildren; Jenniffer Turner of Los Lunas, NM; Alexia Harrison of NM; Emily Cain Rehler (James) of San Antonio, TX; Bailey Cain of Austin, TX; Casey Scott of Los Lunas, NM; 4 great grandchildren; Bryce Turner of Bosque Farms, NM; Kaylee Turner of Los Lunas, NM; Faith Switzer of NM, Grace Switzer of NM; two sisters, Clarabelle Davis of Lusk, Wyoming; Mary Shiley of Illinois and numerous nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to thank the Center for Ageless Living Staff, High Desert Hospice and the multitude of friends whom we shared our father with over the years.

Pallbearers will be Stacie Kirtley, Casey Scott, Sam Blaney, Fabian Peralta, Corkey Morrison, J.J. McGlasson, Krista McGlasson, Matt Beller, and Michael Paris.

Honorary Pallbearers are Mike Chavez, Kaylee Turner, and Roka Blaney.

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