JAMES ALAN SMITH

James Alan Smith, 66 of Maple Ridge passed away suddenly at home of a heart attack on March 19, 2021. James was born on February 20, 1955 to James and Thelma (Riley) Smith. After his father passed away, his mother married Donald W. Kelley of Prescott in 1970. The Kelley-Smith household was full of nine children, their friends, family members, and there was a never a dull moment. 

James graduated from Whittemore-Prescott High School in 1973. He married Penny Smith and had one daughter Angela. He later married Jodie Robarts and loved her children Jennie and Donny as his own.

James was a stonemason and member of the Michigan Laborers Union. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and visiting with family and his many friends. He loved the outdoors and anything in nature.

His love for his family and friends, his honesty, his forgiving nature, and his acceptance of himself and others is what endeared him to so many. He cared deeply for those in his life. He had many special friends that called and visited him regularly and that will miss him greatly.

James is survived by his children Angela (Barry) Kellogg, Donny (Tonya) Wilson, and Jennie (Cameron) Granger, and grandchildren Pamela Southworth, Barry Henry III, Cameron Kellogg, Liam Henry, Landon Henry and great-grandson Wesley Shetler and his siblings, Gary (Kimberly) Smith, Douglas Smith, Cathy (Richard) Palm, James (Pattie) Kelley, Robert Kelley, Michelle (Tom) Kelley, Tami Smith, and Donna Brookshire. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Jimmy unconditionally and his candy jar too. 

 James is predeceased by his parents James Smith, and Donald and Thelma Kelley and his grandparents Henry and Helen Smith of Maple Ridge and William and Thelma Riley of Flint and cousin Danny Conners and nephews Douglas Kelley and Austin Robarts.

Visitation for family and friends will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Buresh Funeral Home, 101 East Harrison Street, Prescott, Michigan 48756. A celebration of life ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m. In accordance with ongoing pandemic, guests are requested to wear facial covering or mask and practice social distancing while in the building.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Angela Kellogg, P. O. Box 863, Harrison Michigan or to the family in care of Buresh Funeral Home.