James "Jay" L. Smith, 85, of East Hampstead, NH, died on May 11, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Lillian A. (Wheeler) Smith.

Jay was born in Salina, Kansas on April 23, 1939 and was the son of the late Charles and Eleanor (Ludes) Smith.

Jay was raised and educated in Kansas and Nebraska. He held the position of bank president for over twenty years at First Sierra National Bank in New Mexico. Jay proudly served his country in the United States Army. He travelled a lot and fell in love with the Bahamas. Before settling in East Hampstead, NH, he lived in Salina, Kansas, Lincoln, Nebraska, and T or C, New Mexico. His passion was golf, golf, and more golf. Jay was a true people person, and was always boasting about the great people he had met and all his good friends to the end.

He is survived by his children Jay C. Smith and his wife Rae of Parsonfield, Maine, and Heather A. Peters and her husband Greg of Pelham, NH, his six grandchildren and several great grandchildren, his siblings Fred Smith and his wife Kathie of Colorado, and Susie Martin and her husband Davie of Nebraska.

Jay was sadly predeceased by his son Mark Smith.

His funeral service and interment will be held privately.