LYNNWOOD—More than 100 community members, family, and colleagues gathered at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood on Saturday, April 18, to celebrate the life of former Lynnwood City Councilman Jim Smith, honoring his remarkable legacy and lifelong dedication to public service. The remembrance was facilitated by Pastor Hector Garfias-Toledo, and feature music, a photograph slideshow, and several speakers who knew him well.
“We remember the life of Jim, we give thanks for the gift of his presence in our lives, celebrate the legacy he leaves behind, and go forward into the spirit of God’s loving embrace. May we find solace in our shared memories and support one another in this time of grief,” said Pastor Garfias-Toledo.
Lynnwood Mayor George Hurst fondly reminisced about his time serving alongside Smith on the City Council and during his own campaign for mayor, describing Smith as a trusted ally and dear friend.
Before long, Smith was a constant presence at all of Hurst’s mayoral campaign events and even at his home. One day, he arrived with several oversized political signs in strong support of Hurst’s candidacy — a striking gesture for anyone who knew Smith well, Hurst shared. A staunch environmentalist, Smith had always viewed plastic campaign signs as wasteful and ran every one of his own races under a strict “no plastic signs” policy.
Hurst shared that Smith stood with him, waving signs through snow and rain, during his campaign. Though Hurst noticed there was something off about Smith who would brush it off and say there was complications with his medication.
After Hurst won as Mayor he told Smith that he could finally get some well-deserved rest. But in December of last year, Smith emailed Hurst saying he had ALS, could not speak, and had one to two years left of life, that he wanted to spend with his family, Hurst shared adding that Smith told him to make sure he made Lynnwood the best city ever. Smith, one month later, passed away.
“I want to thank Sherry and his daughters for letting Jim take time away from family to devote years of service to the Lynnwood community,” said Hurst holding back tears. “In the end, I believe that through our ups and downs from working together for the city and in politics, God opened the door for Jim and I to become friends. Jim, thank you for your service.”
Another former fellow Lynnwood City Council member, now current PUD Commissioner, Julieta Altamirano-Crosby shred that Smith was a friend who connected with others across language and cultural barriers and who always put community and relationships first.
Altamirano-Crosby first met Smith in 2008, shortly after moving to Mukilteo from Mexico. She was introduced to Smith by way of her husband Patrick. Even before she learned English, Altamirano-Crosby knew, by his body language alone, that Smith was a kind and authentic individual, she shared.
When Altamirano-Crosby moved to Lynnwood in 2018 and decided to run for city Council, she ran alongside Smith who was in another race. She remembers her husband asking Smith “you’re running again? Are you crazy” to which Smith replied, “maybe I am, maybe I’m not, but I love my city.”
“Jim was deeply curious about people and cultures. When we worked on building the friendship-seeking relationship between Lynnwood and Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico, he was engaged, thoughtful, and full of questions,” said Altamirano-Crosby. “He truly wanted to understand to learn how and how to connect. He shared stories about his time living in Japan, and he embraced my hope to continue to stay.”
When the City of Lynnwood signed its proclamation recognizing Cinco de Mayo in 2022, he continued to give his full support, exemplifying his dedication to community, connection, and respect, Commissioner Altamirano-Crosby added.
Altamirano-Crosby also reflected on COVID, when Smith showed up for his community, not as a council member, but as a volunteer to help lift the spirits of seniors in retirement communities through his music, creating moments of joy in the middle of a difficult time.
“I will never forget how we would sing and dance La Bamba together in Spanish, just laughing and connecting those moments from life when it was mostly late,” continued Altamirano-Crosby.
Smith’s dear friend Joe Carolus followed Altamirano-Crosby who shared that speaking about Smith in the past tense is unsettling.
Carolus first met Smith at his daughter’s wedding and was soon playing music with him, and volunteering in Seattle handing out food to the unhoused without asking questions.
“Jim showed me the power of music in memory care centers. Watching people who don’t know where they live start to dance and remember songs. That was beautiful. I don’t think I would know that without him,” said Carolus. “Jim Smith was, is, and will always be my friend. I’m blessed to have known him, and I hope that we can get together and jam again.”
A slideshow of Smith’s life was then shown in memorandum before the pianist concluded the service by playing Bob Seger’s Old Time Rock n’ Roll.
About Jim Smith
James “Jim” Smith, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, musician, entrepreneur, licensed pilot, and dedicated public servant who served the City of Lynnwood for 28 years on the City Council, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at the age of 75, surrounded by his wife after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Born in Seattle on December 30, 1950, Jim Smith was a lifelong resident of Lynnwood since at least 1968. He is an Edmonds-Woodway High School Class of 1969 alumni and earned a double bachelor’s degree in business administration and law and justice from Central Washington University.
Although born in Seattle, Jim spent most of his life growing up in Hawaii, the Philippines, and Japan.
Jim and his wife, Sherry, were married for 25 years and raised his daughters in Lynnwood, where family values were central to his life. Besides his love for Rock-n-Roll and flying, Jim was known for his deep commitment to community, prioritizing public safety, fiscal responsibility, and the well-being of residents throughout his extensive career in public service.
Jim’s public service spanned 28 years on the Lynnwood City Council, where he served from 1987 to 2011 and again from 2020 to 2023 to Position 4. He served as Council President earlier in his tenure then as Council Vice President in 2021 and 2022. He held various liaison roles, including on the Disability Board advocating accessibility, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, the Parks & Recreation Board, and the Lynnwood Public Facilities District.
Beyond the council, he contributed to the Snohomish County Board of Health for over a decade, serving as Chairman; chaired the LEOFF-1 Disability Board for more than 12 years; founded and presided over the Lynnwood Chamber of Commerce; was President of the Washington State Jaycees of which he was a member for 12 years, and the former President of the Washington Pilots Association. Jim also was a member of the Alderwood Terrace Rotary for 10 years where he served as Secretary, Toastmaster for two years, and an 8-year member of the Seattle Seafair Commodores.
He championed community events such as the Lynnwood Christmas Tree Lighting and Celebration, the Lynnwood 4th of July Celebration, and former President of the Lynn-O-Rama Festival for four years.
Professionally, Jim had a distinguished career in the music and entertainment industry for 30 years as the owner, CEO, and COO of UNICAM Entertainment. For decades, he booked and managed musical groups, produced concerts and events, and represented cover bands that performed at high schools, colleges, and senior centers across the Puget Sound region. He also played in local bands, with his most recent group, “GenRAShun,” focusing on covers from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and beyond.
Jim battled ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) with courage and grace. His legacy in Lynnwood is one of unwavering dedication to safer streets, lower taxes, and responsive governance, leaving an indelible mark on the city he called home.
Jim is survived by wife, Sherry; four daughters Becky, Jen, Jamie, and Ashley; sons-in-laws Tom, Joe, Ryan, and Nick; two grandchildren Hayden and Colton; and beloved Shih Tzu, Lulu.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
