Dr. James W. Smith, Jr.

The first time Janice Smith saw her future husband, James, he was elbow deep in the chest cavity of a surgery patient. It was love at first sight. Jim first noticed his future wife one evening at a party when he spotted her being sick over the bougainvillea. Again, love at first sight. Married in 1961, the couple shared their lives with wit, intelligence, and vigor until Jan passed on July 9th 2024. Just six months later, James Smith followed his wife on January 13th. Their loved ones are missing them both very much.

A graduate of University of Pittsburgh’s Medical School in 1958 in general surgery, Dr James Willard Smith, Jr. served in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at University of Pittsburgh’s Children’s Hospital and at the University of Bristol, England from 1964-1966, and was assistant chief of surgery at the Veterans Hospital in Oakland, Pennsylvania from 1955-1967. His subsequent private practice in Beaver Falls was interrupted when a spinal-injuring skiing accident caused him to rethink his career. He returned to Pitt’s medical school at 47, the oldest student they had ever had, to complete a four-year residency in pathology, which he called “a bridge between science and clinical medicine.” He was appointed to four American Boards of Medicine including the Boards of Surgery, Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, and Forensic Pathology. The latter specialty in forensic pathology allowed Dr. Smith to become Beaver County’s first forensic pathologist in 1985 at 53 years old. Having a specialist in crime and medicine meant that Beaver County could perform its own forensic autopsies and have its own expert witness as well as an assistant deputy coroner at the Medical Center. Dr. Smith was well-loved and respected by the medical, legal, and law enforcement communities for which he was a nexus. Beaver County’s District Attorney, Teresa Ferris-Dukovich frequently cited Dr. Smith as “one of the best in his field,” saying that there weren’t “adequate words to express how valuable he is in our profession.” In 1994, Dr. Smith led recovery operations in the field for the crash of flight 427, the seventh deadliest aviation accident in US history (now the 11th). With DNA science in its infancy, Smith, and fellow pathologist Dr. Karl Williams, relied largely on dental and fingerprint records to successfully identify 125 of the 132 people on board, all fatalities. The effort required 2,000 body bags and a thorough grid system for the team to identify remains and belongings to return to victims’ loved ones.

Ironically, Jim was unable, and unwilling, to kill a fly and was a great animal rescuer, from his family’s first dog, Brunhilda, whom he stole from a medical research lab, to his last rescued cat, who turned out to be pregnant with 4 cats, all of whom Jim refused to give away. Gentle towards animals yet fearless on a set of skis or a bicycle, Jim lived with determination and moxie. He taught his children freedom from the opinions of others and took his family on many adventures. In his last few days, his thinking became populated with thoughts of the mechanics of machines, chickens, and Einstein. His vigor and delight in life never turned off. He died peacefully and in the presence of those he loved.

James was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Janice. James will be sadly missed by his son, James Smith, of Fort Worth, TX; his daughter Jillian (Tim Donovan) Smith, of St. Augustine, FL; as well as his dear friends and caretakers Michael McMillen and Diane Erickson.

As per James’ wishes no public services will be held immediately. Friends are encouraged to visit Jim and Jan’s memorial bench in the walking loop at Brady’s Run Park.

Professional Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.