James B. Smith

On November 7, 2025, James B. Smith, M.D., 93, passed away at Swedish Hospital in Seattle from natural causes. Jim was born in Everett, grew up in Seattle, and attended Seattle Preparatory School. He earned his undergraduate degree at Seattle University and his medical degree at Creighton University. His internship was at Swedish Hospital. He then entered the U.S. Army and had residencies at Silas Hayes U.S. Army Hospital Fort Ord in Monterey, CA; Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco; and Shriners Hospital for Children in Los Angeles.

At the end of his 13-year military career, including four years at Fort Carson Army Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jim spent a year in Vietnam as Hospital Commander of the 45th Surgical Hospital, 44th Medical Brigade. Upon honorable discharge from the Army at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, he was a Lieutenant Colonel and had earned a Vietnam service medal with two Bronze Service Stars, an Army Commendation medal, a National Defense Service medal, and a Vietnam Campaign medal.

Jim and his family then moved to Mercer Island, Washington. He began his civilian career in 1970 with Orthopedic Associates in West Seattle and ended it 33 years later with Orthopedic Physician Associates in Seattle. He was an Emeritus Clinical Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and a Founding Member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America.

At age 87, Jim began volunteering every Saturday for the midnight shift at USO at SeaTac Airport and continued until two weeks before his death.

Jim was very active well into his 80s and 90s with wind surfing, skiing, golfing, dog training, jet skiing, reading and translating Greek, driving his tractor, working on outdoor projects regardless the weather, and correcting everyone’s grammar and spelling! JB will be remembered by his orthopedic community colleagues as a mentor, teacher, accomplished surgeon, and hilarious friend. His family will keep in their hearts his love, kindness, wisdom and ability to always make them laugh. He will be missed greatly.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Roberta Jo Smith. He is survived by his daughters, Debbie Smith, D-D Smith, Ann (Rob) Stewart, and Lisa (John) Thompson; his grandchildren, Tracy (Donny) Dana, Scott (Amanda Tsang) Vojik, Daniel (Katherine Venables) Stewart, and Joseph (Hannah Alverson) Stewart; and his great-granddaughter, Josephine Dana.

There will be no funeral service at JB’s request. The family would be honored if remembrances were shared on the guestbook located below. 

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home ~ Lake View - Seattle, Washington