Finding a James A. Smith obituary is, quite honestly, like looking for a specific grain of sand on a very large beach. The name is ubiquitous. But when people go searching for it, they aren’t usually looking for just anyone. They are looking for a story that actually means something.
Maybe you’re here because you knew the James A. Smith who spent thirty years as a sought-after litigator in Detroit, the one who passed away in late 2025. Or perhaps you’re looking for the World War II vet, or the master mechanic from Ohio.
People aren’t just data points. A name like James A. Smith represents a specific kind of American backbone—the quiet, hardworking, "fix-it" kind of life that doesn't always make the front page but keeps the world turning.
The James A. Smith Everyone is Talking About
When we talk about the most recent James A. Smith obituary making waves in legal and academic circles, we’re often talking about James "Jim" A. Smith of Clinton Township. He passed away on September 18, 2025. He was 83.
If you didn't know him, you should know this: he was the guy who announced for the Michigan Marching Band. Imagine that voice.
He lived a life that was basically a masterclass in resilience. He was a 22-year survivor of lung cancer. Think about that for a second. Most people don't get twenty-two years after a diagnosis like that. He used every single one of those days to be a "Papa" to eleven grandchildren.
Why We Care About a Name So Common
It’s easy to get lost in the sea of "James Smiths."
- James Burgess "JB" Smith (died January 12, 2026): A legendary home builder in Roanoke.
- James A. Smith (died April 2025): A Navy vet and master mechanic for GM in Toledo.
- James "Jim" A. Smith (died June 2025): A 52-year-old from Bad Axe who fought cancer with everything he had.
Honestly, the reason these obituaries trend isn't because of celebrity status. It’s because of the local impact. These men were the coaches, the deacons, the guys who knew how to fix a carburetor when no one else did.
The Master Litigator’s Legacy
The James A. Smith from the Detroit legal scene—specifically the partner at Bodman—left a hole in the Michigan Bar that won't be filled anytime soon. He wasn't just a lawyer; he was a writer.
Colleagues say he was "cerebral." That’s code for "smarter than everyone else in the room but too polite to say it." He spent his career at one firm. In 2026, where people change jobs every eighteen months, that kind of loyalty is basically a fossil.
What the Obituaries Get Right (and Wrong)
Most people think an obituary is just a list of survivors and a funeral time. That’s a mistake. A good James A. Smith obituary tells you about the "why."
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Take the James A. Smith from Hickory, NC, who passed in 2023 but whose legacy is still being discussed in 2026. He was an aviation consultant. He built a house on a hill his family called "Smith Mountain."
The details matter. The fact that he fried turkeys for the church Thanksgiving. The fact that he loved butter pecan ice cream. These aren't "small" details. They are the actual life.
How to Find the Right James A. Smith
If you’re searching for a specific record, don’t just type the name. You’ll get millions of hits. You've gotta be surgical.
- Check the middle initial. Is it James A., James L., or James B.?
- Location is everything. Was he from Riverside, California, or Norwalk, Ohio?
- Look for the "Smitty" factor. Many of these men were never called James a day in their lives. Look for "Jim" or "Smitty" in the text.
Actionable Steps for Honoring a Legacy
If you’ve found the James A. Smith obituary you were looking for, don't just close the tab.
- Donate to the specific cause. Many of these families requested donations to the Salvation Army or Karmanos Cancer Center.
- Share a memory. Most legacy sites have a "Tribute Wall." A two-sentence story about a joke he told in 1994 means more to a grieving widow than a generic "sorry for your loss."
- Verify the service. Many of the James A. Smiths mentioned here have celebrations of life scheduled for the summer of 2026. Check the funeral home sites (like Verheyden or Walker) to ensure the dates haven't shifted.
Life is short, even for the James Smiths who live to be eighty-something. The best way to honor them is to stop treating their names like a search query and start treating their lives like a roadmap.