James “Jim” Pettis Smith, III, 78 of Grayling passed away on September 18, 2020 at Munson Hospital in Traverse City.
Jim was born January 16, 1942 to Mabel and James Smith, Jr. of Almont.
Jim graduated from Almont High School in 1960. He married Susan (Lenz) of Grayling March 12, 1994 in a family ceremony in Romeo. The couple moved to Grayling in 1996 where they built a cabin and became part of the community.
Jim was president of the Crawford County Historical Society as well as secretary of the Grayling Sportsman’s Club. He was a certified Hunter Safety instructor for many years, coordinating the classes and instructors for the club.
Fall was Jim’s favorite time of the year. He loved fishing and hunting, which is what drew him and Susan to the Grayling area. He was also a feature writer for Up North Voice, where he was able to use his love of research to generate many stories on the history of Grayling and Crawford County.
Jim is survived by his wife, Susan, of Grayling; daughter, Marie (Rick) Thompson, of Higgins Lake; sister, Claudia (Richard) Juif of Grayling; and grandchildren, Rebecca and Courtney Thompson.
He was predeceased by his parents; and one sister, Elizabeth Corl.
A memorial was held Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the First Free Methodist Church in Grayling.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Jim’s name to the Crawford County Historical Society, P.O. Box 218, Grayling, MI 49738.
