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Kim Paisley-Jones
Breeze-Courier Writer
TAYLORVILLE — Mr. James H. Smith, beloved music teacher, band director, mentor, leader and friend passed away August 22, 2025 at the age of 95. His family wrote in his obituary “Music was the constant thread of Jim’s life,” and I think all who knew him would agree.
He studied music at Western Kentucky University before serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1954. While stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, he was Assistant Director of the U.S. Air Force Band and Director of the U.S. Air Force Choir.
He married his wife Jeanine in 1956, and they had their daughter, Gina, one year later. He went on to earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and the family eventually settled in Taylorville in 1960.
Jim served as the Director of Music for Taylorville Public Schools and Band Director at Taylorville High School for 31 years, where he inspired generations of students with his deep passion for music.
Heartfelt Condolences
The inspiration of those students could be felt in the numerous Facebook posts about his passing. Here are just a few of the many we received from former students, friends and colleagues:
“Jim was a fantastic friend, colleague and truly a gentle man. He was very encouraging to me when I first started out teaching” — David Tish McCafferty
“Mr. Smith was an excellent band director and an even better person! I will remember him fondly.” — Sara (Nuelle) Ganey
“Wonderful teacher, great man, still listen to jazz today because of him. Big impact on my life. He would give me a pass to get out of study hall to practice my drum set that was at school, right outside his office. I would bang away for 45 minutes while he was in his office doing paperwork He never complained and kept giving me hall passes! Taught me so much about music and life.” — Brad Dorchinecz
“I had the honor to teach with Jim for many years and considered him my friend and esteemed colleague. May you rest in peace my friend and I’m sure the angels would like to hear a few ‘Snappy Numbers.’” — Bob Stephenson
“I had a career as a musician because of Jim Smith. Whether it was standing before his THS Band or Princess Grace of Monaco (yeah, I was there), Mr. Smith brought his whole self into his music and his work. His memory is a blessing.” — Sam Radwine
I was part of one of the American Youth Band and Chorus Tours (’73). His leadership and sponsorship of this group opened the eyes of countless youth to culture and history midst performing at a high-caliber level and for this I am forever thankful. — Susan Hohenstein Rush
“I’m so very sorry to hear this. The news brought tears to my eyes. Mr. Smith was one of my favorite teachers. He was excellent in his craft and had a great sense of humor. He was definitely one of the good ones. My deepest condolences to Gina and his family.” — Ginny Monge
“I still often think about his patience, grace, and perseverance, and how he inspired me as a person.” — Pam Hogan
“Mr. Jim Smith was just a wonderful man in so many ways..he inspired countless people (both young and old) for generations with his witty sense of humor, his most amazing musical talents, and his incredible ability to be in charge of a situation that could always pull off a flawless performance! His friendship will most assuredly be missed. And he will be so respectfully remembered as our own Music Man of Taylorville!” — James & Martha Hahn
“I was beyond fortunate to have known him. Both he and Ron Lindvahl,, my junior high band director, were trumpet players. That meant I got extra attention when I failed to toe the line or meet their expectations, because I think at an early age they thought there was a possibility that I would go into music as a career. For many years he took a band to Europe, touring and playing at places like the Louvre, Monaco, etc. They stopped it before I was old enough to go, but he would tell amazing stories about the tours on the bus rides heading to jazz band competitions and honor band weekends at Eastern Illinois U and Western Illinois U. We played hard music, too. Our folders were filled with music that was current and written by accomplished composers and arrangers. “Blues for Poland”, “Who’s Sorry Now” were tunes we did at contests for jazz band, along with great Doug Beach compositions. We always had a march or two in the concert band book along with music from Henry Mancini and Warren Barker. And Dale Hopper from Western Illinois wrote our marching band show and music all three years I was in high school. (I always suspected he was happy to get through marching season, and happy to bring in others to do the heavy lifting in that area). In large part, I owe my career in music to Mr. Smith. He was extremely talented, hip, and wise. His direction came to me not only from his baton, but by patient and consistent guidance that happened out of rehearsal. He was by all who came in contact with him.. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with him as an adult too, because there may have been one or more incidents in high school where I acted up. Requiescat in pace, Mr. Smith. I hope the Good Lord shows you just how many lives you have touched.” — Mike Barry
“Friends are the family you choose” — Edna Buchanan
While Jim Smith knew no strangers, he had several great friends over the years who shared some sentiments about their friendship:
Mark Lindvahl:
“My dad (Ron) and Jim were really good friends and musical soulmates, having taught together for 30+ years. My early memories of him are when we moved to Taylorville in 1964. I started band in the 5th grade and of course played all the way through high school. We were always at their house in my growing up years.
Jim was just a terrific, stand up guy who was full of life and one of those you always loved being around. He exuded positivity and a love for music. He was just fun to be around.
In high school, my mom and dad got a chance to go to Europe with him. with the American Youth Band and Chorus. I got to go with them in 1972. It was such a good experience to get together with kids from all over the country. We gathered in London and gave concerts across the continent. It was an unbelievable experience through music.
He always encouraged us to play at a high level for the joy of making music. He taught us to get along with each other and produce a good outcome. What a great life skill to carry forward in your adult years. He was like the pied piper. I remember kids were always hanging around the band room because he welcomed them. It was the place to be at that age.
He was a living example to always be prepared every day and work hard to get the most out of us every day. It was his example of being on the podium everyday and challenging us with challenging music bringing us up through the baby steps of a young student to well seasoned musicians.
He touched so many lives; probably more than he ever knew. I’ll remember him as a positive influence and mentor in my life. Being a band director myself, I learned from Jim and my dad’s example just how to treat kids, and create opportunities to share with my students.
He was an influence on my whole life.”
Jack Brown
“Jim Smith was, for Taylorville, “Mr. Music Man”. Everyone will probably echo my sentiments that he was an individual that we all took pride in knowing because of all the wonderful things he did for the students, and also his outreach into the community and various things he did.
Jim was an educator, musician, and someone you wanted to tutor your kids. He had all those attributes that you look for in an great educator.
He was a personal friend of mine, as well. I’m honored to be associated with Jim Smith. I looked upon Jim Smith as an icon….one of a kind. He will be sorely missed.”
Chris Gunn
Jim Smith was such a knowledgeable, caring and beloved music educator. I was fortunate to have played under his direction as a member of the Taylorville Municipal Band. Listening to his stories that spanned the length of his teaching career and receiving guidance and encouragement as a music educator myself was reaffirming. It was an honor to take the baton and lead the Taylorville Municipal Band forward when he stepped down.
Dave Hixenbaugh
I was an incoming sophomore in 1960 when Mr. Jim Smith was introduced as our new band director. He brought an enthusiasm and professional approach to the band program and all 41 band members were genuinely excited for the new school year to start. Mr. Smith introduced a new style of marching for the football halftime performance. He taught us to march in integral formations. I still remember “eight steps to every 5 yard line and 22 inches per step”. It was all new to us, but we had fun. He selected me to be his first drum major, so I got to meet with him regularly and we began a friendship that lasted 65 years. As I became a teacher and an administrator in Taylorville, our paths crossed on a regular basis. a special time came after he retired when the h.s. created a senior prom for senior citizens. The current band director, Ron Ninmer, was asked to form a combo to play during the big band intermissions. So, he recruited principal Tom Campbell and Mr. Smith and they asked me to be the vocalist. We performed music from the 1940’s and 50’s. This was a real thrill as Jim Smith was one of the best improvisers on the keyboard I’ve ever seen.
In 2009, after Mr. Smith started directing the Taylorville Municipal band, he asked if I might become the MC for each Wednesday night concert. I was honored that he asked and for the next 11 years until he retired from the band, he and I fronted the municipal band concert at Hershey Towers. For 65 years, Jim Smith was my teacher, my mentor, a great colleague and a special friend. I will miss him.
A daughter’s thoughts
His daughter Gina (Smith) Bennett shared with me recently “I really hit the jackpot in having a dad like him! He was the only child in his family and his mother taught him that manners were of the utmost importance and to be kind to everyone you meet. She taught him to stand when a lady enters the room, offer a lady your chair, etc. In his last days, we spoke about a lot of things. He shared with me that he wondered if people thought he was a kind and good person. He hoped he showed kindness to everyone and made a positive impact in their lives.”
I think there should be no doubt that Jim Smith was, in deed, a kind and good man who made a positive impact on everyone he met. He has been described many times as a good band director, teacher, mentor, leader and friend to all who knew him. And if you were one of the lucky ones to have known him, may you spread that same goodness and kindness to all you meet. Be like Jim.
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