James Lee Smith, 82 of Warrensburg, Missouri, died Monday, Feb. 26, at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg.There was a memorial gathering from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.

James was born Feb. 27, 1935 in Thayer, Kansas, the son of Harold W. and Dorothy E. (Schnieder) Smith. He graduated from high school in Antioch, California, and received his PhD in Botany from Berkley.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Beverly; three sons: Lincoln Linsmith of San Pablo, California; Alex Linsmith of Warrensburg; and Michael Masiak of Sterling, Virginia; and daughter: Paige Masiak of Warrensburg; sister: Joan McNally of Antioch, California; three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

James taught at Boulder University where he married Deborah E. Gorlin. The couple later divorced, with Deborah moving to California with their two sons. On July 21, 1967, James married Beverly L. (Johnson) Masiak in Boulder. The couple, along with her two children, moved to Warrensburg in 1969.

James was a microbiology instructor at UCM for over 30 years. He was an avid woodworker and carpenter. His hobbies also included welding and hunting. In years past, James taught and officiated youth basketball. He was also actively involved in the community, having volunteered at the Food Bank and at First United Methodist Church to assist in delivering medical supplies to Jamaica. James loved and survived all of the cats they adopted and dogs they walked with love and energy.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net