Charles James Smith, age 78, of Bolivar, MO, passed away Friday, December 13, 2013, at Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility. He was born January 1, 1935, in Imperial Valley, CA, to Gustovo and Viola (Anderson) Smith. As a young boy he helped his parents raise rabbits. He used to fish for lobsters off the coast of La Jolla, CA, for a $.25 each. He also used to swimm off shore to collect food cans dumped by the Naval Ships before they came into harbor in the 1940’s. He was the football captian for La Jolla High School 1950’s. He served in the US Army after high school. Charles served as a juvenile narcodics detective III for the Los Angeles Police Department out of the Van Nuys Station. He started the D.A.R.E. program in 1970’s.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister Winnie Beaver; and two brothers: Stanley Smith, and Robert Smith.
He is survived by his wife Margarete Burgunde Smith of the home; a son Allen Smith of Las Vegas, NV; a daughter Theresa Ehrlich of Charlotte, NC; a step-son Charles Orin Berrybreh of Sindelfingen, Germany; two grandchildren: Kaylie and Jake; as well as other relatives and friends.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Polk County Humane Society: 4404 S. 82nd Road Bolivar, MO 65613. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.