I sadly report that longtime Wolverine Sports Club member Jim “JC” Smith passed
away Saturday afternoon at 3PM. I have been told that no immediate memorial will
be held for Jim but that something special will take place in the spring. For
those wishing to make donations in Jim's name I have been informed that a Jim C.
Smith Memorial Fund will be set up with the Community Foundation of Greater
Rochester to benefit the new Velodrome in Rochester Hills.

Before World War II Jim rode for Fred Cappy’s East Side Wheelman, racing in the
legendary races on Fred’s Velodrome and in Detroit’s Chandler Park. During that
time Jim and his ESW teammates fought many battles against the powerful duo of
Mike Walden and Clair “Smoke” Young. Every story I have ever heard about Jim
from those days contains the phrase “Jim was the sprinter” so my assumption was
that he must have been quite good.

During World War II Jim was a member of Sixth US Marine Division Recon and
served in the China Theater during the war. For those of you that don’t know,
the Recon guys are the usually the first men into battle and often operate
behind enemy lines. Strange as it may sound I could see how this unit would suit
Jim because he was still a fearless man even in his 80’s.

After the war Jim joined up with Mike and Clair in what was then known as the
Wolverine Wheelman. In 1953, under the leadership of Jim, Mike, and Clair the
Wheelman merged with the Berkley Speedskating Club and added cross-country
skiing to form what became known as the Wolverine Sports Club. During the next
40-year period the Wolverine Sports Club became a national power in bicycle
racing and speedskating with club members winning over 100 National Cycling
Championships, 9 World Cycling Championships, and Olympic Gold, Silver, and
Bronze medals in speedskating among many other honors.

Jim raced until he was 50. In those days there was no Veterans or Masters
racing. He raced against all the teenagers, 20, and 30 year olds. I saw a start
list once for the old Detroit-Battle Creek race and Jim and Clair were the only
riders in there 40’s and Jim was the oldest at 46. Jim was also active as the
Touring Road Captain of the club creating many of the weekly Wolverine touring
rides that still exist today. He continued to ride into his 80’s even with two
artificial hips.

Jim was gentle, jovial, imposing and fearless. Jim loved to have fun and anyone
who ever attended the Walden School of Cycling and listened to his 7am bugle
call can attest to that. But even in his late 70’s Jim could intimidate you with
a stare. I remember him during this time working at the Tour de Michigan. Two of
his jobs were keeping people off the stage and making sure the riders staged
behind the start line for introductions. Both of these jobs were perfect for Jim
because I have never seen anyone ever challenge him. He just had that way about
that demanded instant respect.

Although Jim was frustrated with not being able to ride his bike the last couple
of years he moved on with life and bought his first personal computer. I
installed it for him and while their first PC intimidates most people, I can
only assume that nothing intimidated Jim Smith. The next morning I awoke to find
Jim already up and logged on to the internet and playing with his new toy. I was
totally surprised by this but looking back I shouldn’t have been because as I’ve
said, Jim was fearless.

So now Jim is in heaven with Fred and Mike and I’m sure the first thing he said
was what every good six-day rider says after a crash, “get me a bike”. Knowing
Jim he probably added “and get out of my way you horses ass”.

My heart goes out to Terry because I know how much she loved Jim.

Regards,

Michael R. Rabe