ommander James Lawrence Smith, USN(Ret.), of Gales Ferry, passed away on September 6, 2011 at home.
Jim was born the son of Lawrence and Eva (Muller) Smith on April 15, 1945 in Pensacola, Florida. Following graduation from North Olmsted High School in North Olmsted, OH, he attended the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. In 1967, he spent one year as Fulbright Scholar at the Universität München in Munich, Germany studying quantum physics.
His 20 year career in the Navy culminated in Command of the USS Sculpin (SSN 590) out of New London. Following retirement in 1987, Jim attended Connecticut College to earn a Master’s Degree in teaching and began his second career at Griswold High School in 1992, teaching physics and chemistry. He was passionately dedicated to the success of his students, and unfortunately passed away on what was to be the first day of school with his new students this year.
Jim married the love of his life and best friend, Vicki Jo Lamneck on June 17, 1967. In addition to his wife of 44 years he is survived by his daughter, Lauren Raye Lewis, son-in-law, Mark Lewis, and granddaughter, Meredith Gael Evangeline Lewis, and his son, Eric Howard Smith. He is also survived by his mother, Eva Smith; his brother David Smith and his companion Sandy Diaz; his brother, Christopher Smith, sister-in-law, Beverly Smith and nephews, Isaac and Tyler Smith. He will also be sadly missed by his mother-in-law, Evangeline Lamneck; brother-in-law, James Lamneck, sister-in-law, Nancy Huddleston, and nieces, Amy and Bridget Lamneck.
He was an active member of the Ledyard Congregational Church and a dedicated member of the choir, just one of many ways he was able to indulge in his love of music. He freely and selflessly gave of himself whenever he saw need and worked for several years for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. He also was a supporter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
A memorial service will be held at Ledyard Congregational Church on September 17, 2011 at 1pm. His family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Jim’s name to Ledyard Congregational Church, 722 Col. Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, CT 06339.
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