James R. Smith Jr., one of seven children of Randel and Jane Smith was born on March 3, 1966 in Omaha, NE. He graduated from Fremont Mills High School, Tabor, IA in 1984. While he was in high school he worked as an apprentice deckhand for the family business on the Belle of Brownville and Spirit of Brownville where he accumulated the necessary hours required to earn his United States Coast Guard 100-ton Master Pilots License which, he was awarded at age 18, making him the youngest Coast Guard licensed river pilot at the time.

In 1994 he and his wife Lisa met aboard the St. Joe Frontier Casino Riverboat which James was Captain and Lisa was employed as a bartender/cocktail server. In 2000 they decided to combine their respective families into one and were married on May 27th of that year. After they were married James continued to work alongside his father on the Spirit and River Inn Resort. They permanently moved to Brownville in 2021 and assumed ownership and operation of the Spirit. In 2022, after the passing of James’ dad, Randel, they took over the River Inn Resort as well.

James was a committed resident of Brownville where he was always ready to help his community and friends by lending his many talents to their aid. He was on the board of the Meriwether/Lewis Foundation, Brownville Historical Society, as well as a member of the Missouri River Rats, Brownville Volunteer Fire Department and other community organizations. James had a true talent for jumping on any type of heavy equipment and within 5 minutes mastering it.

He passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, James Randel Smith, Margaret Jane Crooker Smith and sister Carrie Smith.

He is survived by his loving wife Lisa; children Thomas (Clarisa) Smith of Auburn, Robert Kaelin (fiance’ Sera McClay) of Auburn, Sandra (JoAnne) Kaelin of Tarkio, MO, Andrew Smith (fiance’ Emily Swierczek) of Omaha; 11 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild; siblings Tony (Marilyn) Smith of Omaha, Paul Smith of Omaha, Kenny (Angela) Smith of Liberty, MO, Christina (Derrick) Chatman of Milledgeville, GA, Leya Smith of Auburn; other relatives and many many many friends.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026, 1:00 p.m. at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. Private family burial will take place in Walnut Grove Cemetery at Brownville. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday from noon to 7:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5:00 to 7:00.

Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers to family choice.