James M. Smith

James (Jim) Michael Smith, of Hibbing, died on July 4, 2025, at age seventy-three after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. Jim was born in Aitkin on June 4, 1952, to Walter Smith and Mary Zacher.

He grew up in the McGregor area, graduating from McGregor High School as an accomplished athlete. He continued his education at UMD for two years, then began work at Erie Mining before transferring to Hibbing Taconite. Over a forty-year career, Jim drove production trucks and later worked as an electrician. In his free time, and after retirement, Jim loved fishing, gardening, golfing, and watching Minnesota sports. He was also a member of AA, where he felt a strong connection to the legacies of unity, recovery, and service.

Jim is survived by his daughter Hailey Corradi (Anthony), his step-son Rory Clark, brothers Joe Smith (Sharon) and John Smith (Elaine), and half-sister Carol Reimer.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Mary, his siblings Walt and Eleanor, and his former wife, Colleen Lind.

Finally, Jim wanted to make a special thank you to Margery and Dan Ellefson, Mike and Diane Jacobson, and the many others whose friendship and support meant everything to Jim, both in his fight against cancer and in his everyday life.

A visitation will be held at Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing on Friday, July 11, starting at 10:00 am, followed by a service at 11:00 am and lunch at noon.

Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing, MN.