James Leland Smith

James Leland Smith (Lee)
Born Feb. 11, 1957 in Santa Monica, California to Dale and Jessie Smith.
Lee grew up around the Redondo Beach area until coming to Idaho. He met and married Tracy Blank and together they had a daughter Jessie Blue Smith, he also helped raised a step son as his own Derek Hoffman. They later divorced and remained friends, Lee then began his journey of being the free spirited hippy type of man he had always been. He loved traveling on foot meeting different people from all walks of life. He always said “if I can make one person smile a day I’ve done my job.” Lee had a passion for music and had a beautiful voice, he loved the late 60’s and early 70’s, Jackson Browne, Eagles, Neil Young. 
He is survived by his daughter, Jessie Blue Smith; a special step son, Derek Hoffman; 3 grandchildren, Bailey, Bennett and Harper; a sister, Sara Paul Smith Lehnberg of Long Beach California; a brother, Carl Smith of Bullhead, Arizona; numerous nieces and nephews; and 2 special friends, Tracy Gabbard and Kim Nettinga Meccico. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; two sisters, Joy Lynn Smith Harmon, and Terri K Smith Grooms; and his best friend/Brother/ father in law, Harvey Blank.
“Have I told you I love you today Jessie Blue!” 

Attached is an article that he wrote and the Idaho State Journal published it…

https://idahostatejournal.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/you-ve-made-me-a-better-person/article_1be68456-760d-577c-8a6c-ccf9d03a31e9.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share

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