James W. Smith

Funeral services for James Walter Smith, PhD, 82, of Bettendorf, will be 11:00 am on Monday, June 24, 2024, at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. Private family burial will follow at Ladora Cemetery, Ladora, IA. Family will greet friends on Monday from 10:00 am to service time at the funeral home.

Jim passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Genesis Medical Center – East Campus, Davenport. 

Jim was born on February 7, 1942, in Marengo, IA, the son of Harold and Blanche (Kahler) Smith. He married Evelyn Bonnie Lecher on June 7, 1964, at Baleville Congregational near Newton, NJ. 

Jim received his bachelor’s degree from Iowa Wesleyan where he met Evelyn Bonnie. He went on to complete his Master’s & PhD degrees in Biochemistry and Physiology from the University of Wyoming. After college, Dr. Smith started his teaching career at St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City, KS, then moved on to Palmer College where he retired after 25 years.

Jim was an avid gardener and provided his family with an abundance of farm fresh produce and was active in the Jefferson School Garden Club. Jim loved to work with his hands and completed many DIY projects and had a knack for reclaiming and refinishing furniture. While he was highly educated, he was still a practical Iowa farm boy at heart who could build anything. He was always there for anyone and everyone who needed him.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Bonnie Smith, of Bettendorf, daughters, Bonnie (Brandon) Banks of Bettendorf, Laura Lea Smith of Bettendorf, grandchildren, Alexis Meeker of Pittsburg, PA, and Allison Meeker of Slippery Rock, PA. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Neola Jean Smith Cashatt, on May 19, 2017.

Memorials by be directed to Camp Courageous of Iowa.