James A. Smith, 46, of Glenville, Minnesota, left us unexpectedly on Monday, July 2, 2018, at the University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis.

James Arthur was born on Aug. 27, 1971, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Arthur W. and Jaris L (Kelly) Smith. They made their home in Albert Lea, Minnesota. In his younger years, he played football, played tuba in band, and was active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and 4-H. He graduated with the Albert Lea High School Class of 1990. He graduated from Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, and from Southwest State in Marshall, Minnesota.

Jim formerly worked at the Albert Lea YMCA and was currently working in the Special Education Department in Glenville Schools and as a groundskeeper at Wedgewood Cove. Jim’s real passion was working with youth. Coach Smith had coached for more than 20 years in Albert Lea, Austin, Minnesota, and Glenville.  He coached football, softball and baseball and offered to help in any way he could. A sports enthusiast, he loved fishing with his dad, a good game of golf and participating in any sport that needed a player. He was also an avid spectator of all sports, both professional and any at the local level.

His compassion to help others showed in his lifelong membership and participation in all aspects of the United Methodist Church Community. He was a proud and dedicated member of the Glenville Fire Department since 2013.

Jim put a mark on all of our hearts. He was a very caring, loving, dedicated husband, father, son, friend and volunteer.

Jim will be lovingly missed by his wife, Amanda; precious son, Kai; father, Arthur W. Smith, of Albert Lea; parents-in-law, Jim (Dena) Brech of Owatonna, Minnesota, and Peggy (Richard) Manges of Albert Lea; brother-in-law, Ryan Brech of Glenville; niece, Brookelyn Brech; step-siblings, Josh and James Manges of Albert Lea and Autumn and Austin Ress of Owatonna; grandparents-in-law, Patricia Mangskau, Kendall and Lila Johnson and Cheryl Brech, all of Albert Lea; aunts, Marlys Handberg of Minneapolis and Mary Jo Kelly of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jaris L. Smith; grandparents, Arthur W. and Veona A. Smith and James A. and Doris E. Kelly; and grandfather-in-law, Dale Mangskau.

A celebration of life for “Coach Smith” will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday,

July 7, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Albert Lea with the Rev. John Mitchem officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, July 6, 2018, at the church and for one hour on Saturday before the service at the church. Honors will be accorded by the Glenville Fire Department. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family.