James Duane Smith, age 67, of Somerset Center, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026, in the comfort of his home after a yearlong battle with cancer.
He was born on December 4, 1958, and grew up in Hanover where he made lifelong friends with the neighbor kids, Craig and Cathy Doan, of whom Jim thought of like family still to this day. He was a graduate of Hanover Horton High School and entered the workforce right away in which he spent more than 40 years working in the oil field. The last almost two decades were spent at McConnell & Scully.
He married Connie (Gardner) in 1985, they had one child together, Nicole Smith, and although divorced they remained friends. He spent the last almost 30 years with his loving girlfriend, Amy Collard. He was also a proud father to her two children, Amber Mathews and Daniel Collard. Jim was an avid outdoorsman who spent his free time hunting and fishing. He even owned a sporting clay range with good friend Mark Nastally for several years. When he wasn’t working, fishing, or hunting, he enjoyed riding his Harley and meeting up with friends. He started most of his mornings at Bundy Hill Diner drinking coffee and shooting the breeze with the “Liars Club”.
He was preceded in death by his father, Duane Smith and step-father, James Wright. He is survived by his mother, Rae Wright; daughter, Nicole Smith (Josh); siblings, Connie Smith, Joe Smith (Juanita), Cherrie Krutsch (Chopper), and Rob Smith (Trish). He is also survived by his girlfriend, Amy Collard; bonus children, Amber Mathews (Kirk) and Daniel Collard (Samantha); grandchildren, Kailee, Carter, Everly, Leland, and Bennett, whom he viewed as his own. Jim is also survived by his lifelong best friend, Jim Pomeroy, of whom he would say “they just don’t make friends any better than him”. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
The family would like to thank friends, family, and the community for all their support over the last year. Special thanks to Hospice of Lenawee for their guidance.
A celebration of life will be held at the Red Fox Sportsman Club in Jonesville on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Brown-VanHemert Funeral Home, Addison.