John R. Smith, 73, of Grand Forks, ND died peacefully at his home on Friday, April 10, 2020.

John was adopted as an infant by Raphael and Henrietta (Matcha) Smith from an orphanage in St. Cloud, MN. He grew up in East Grand Forks, MN and attended school at Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from East Grand Forks Senior High School in 1964. After high school, John enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to the USS Essex. He was honorably discharged from military service in 1969. John was employed with the North Dakota State Mill for 37 years until his retirement in 2007.

John met Wilma Brunskill while home on leave in 1968. They were married on September 26, 1970 in St. Michael's Catholic Church in Grand Forks. This year would have marked 50 years of their marriage. Together, they had three sons, Brian, Jason and Aaron. In the summertime, he enjoyed family camping trips to Strawberry Lake and teaching his boys how to fish and build a campfire. In the winter, he would build an ice rink in the backyard so he could watch his sons and their friends play hockey.   John enjoyed many things in life. He cherished the time spent growing tomatoes in his garden, sitting on the beach at Detroit Lakes with Wilma, listening to Brian tell hunting stories, watching Jason play hockey and walking the Pine to Palm golf course with Aaron. He loved talking to his boys about Fighting Sioux hockey, Minnesota Vikings football, and Tiger Woods. John's greatest joy was his grandchildren. His face would light up when they were together. He enjoyed reading with them, playing Legos, sharing Skittles and watching them swing hockey sticks and golf clubs around the house. Dad will be greatly missed. Fly high grandpa….we love you!

Left to celebrate John's life are his wife, Wilma; his sons, Brian (Kristin), Jason (Adria) and Aaron; his grandchildren, Aiden, Beckett, Remy, and Chiara; brother, David (Dar); a sister, JoAnne Groff; sisters-in-law, Betty Murphy, Jesse Brenna and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raphael and Henrietta Smith; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Josephine Brunskill; sister, Delores; a sister-in-law, Mary Kay Braus; a brother-in-law, Jerry Murphy and a niece, LizAnn Brenna.

John's family wish to thank the doctors and staff of Altru Health System and the Transitional Care Unit of Valley Senior living for the wonderful care given to John.

Memorials are to be sent to the Smith Family home or the Historic Norman Funeral Home 2950 South Washington Street Grand Forks, ND.

A Private Family Memorial Mass : Was celebrated on Monday, April 13, 2020 in St. Michael's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Interment: 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 19, 2020 in Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.
Celebration of Life and Lunch: Will follow at the home of John and Wilma in Grand Forks.
Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 and the North Dakota Army National Guard.