James Eldon Smith

James “Jim” Eldon Smith, 79, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Jim was born January 2, 1938 in Wilsey, Kansas to Orville "Pete" and Juanita (Stover) Smith. Jim was a graduate of Wilsey High School and Emporia State College where he played basketball and earned a bachelors degree in Education. He began his teaching career in Geneseo, Kansas. He was a teacher, coach and eventually Principal of Centre High School in Lost Springs, Kansas, and Principal of Bluestem High School in Leon, Kansas. Following his teaching and administrative career, he transitioned to school fundraising for IFS, Institutional Fundraising Services. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Angie Prince. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Sue Ann Smith of Wichita, KS; children, Debbie (Mike) Kay of Trenton, GA, Jamie (Guy) Tucker of Salina, KS, Kim (Lyle) Engel of Herington, KS, Kraig Smith of Emporia, KS, Steve (Julia) Drake of Gaithersburg, MD, Dan (Kendall) Drake of Wichita KS, Elisa (Eric) Rottinghaus of Falls City NE, Andrea Drake of Chicago, IL; brothers, Bob Smith of Emporia, KS, Larry (Barbara) Smith of Marion, KS; 19 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Celebration of Life will be held at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, Wichita Kansas on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. A second Celebration of Life will be held at Wilsey Christian Church, Wilsey, KS on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 1:00 P.M.