James “Jim” Bryan Smithwick-Hann, 70, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, June 11, 2022, in the midst of a battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Jim was born on Oct. 15, 1951, to Gaylen Troy “Jack” Hann and Estella Larson Hann in Vincennes, Indiana. He was welcomed by older brothers Gary and Paul, and joined later by younger brothers Sherman and David. In 1956, the Hann family moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, where Jim’s father was the minister of the First Christian Church. As the family of a minister, the Hanns made their next move to Seattle in 1960. In 1966, the “eat and compete” Hann Clan made Jim’s final move to Aberdeen, Washington. Here it became clear Jim would not only enjoy, but excel in a variety of interests. He participated in football, basketball and track. He was elected student body president and played the lead in the school musical “Li’l Abner.” After graduating high school in 1969, Jim continued his football career at Grays Harbor Jr. College while his family moved to Centralia, Washington. Jim always joked he was probably one of the few kids whose family moved away from them when they were starting college. After two years, Jim earned a football scholarship to the University of Montana.
Jim’s time at the University of Montana turned him into a true Montana boy, where he latched onto multiple new interests including fly fishing, downhill skiing, and looking up a new word in the dictionary daily. In swimming class, he met and fell in love with his life partner, Lori Smithwick. He not only committed time to football, becoming captain of the 1972 Grizzlies, but devoted time to school as well. Most of his free time was spent with Lori and friends he met from the University of Montana football and basketball teams.
After graduating with a degree in health and physical education, Jim was selected as a linebacker in the 1973 NFL draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished his football career in the World Football League playing for the Portland Storm.
Jim’s teaching and coaching career began in Libby in 1976. After three years, he moved to Kalispell to teach at Kalispell Junior High School. More importantly, he married Lori in 1988 after a short 14 years of dating. Together they made the progressive decision to hyphenate “Smithwick-Hann.” With the birth of Shay in 1991 and Grier in 1993, the focus was always family first.
While at KJHS, Jim coached football, basketball, track and golf for Flathead High School. He found joy in meeting students and athletes at the level they needed, whether it was teaching them the basics of swinging a golf club or talking about life at home. Jim taught at Glacier High School starting in 2007 and retired from teaching in 2010, totaling 30 years in School District 5.
His time in teaching stimulated his social life and brought many of his dearest friends. Teaching gave Jim the opportunity to explore new technology and computers, likely breaking more than School District 5 will ever know. He saw technology as a new way of thinking and never stopped learning and being a consultant to many.
Throughout Jim’s life, he could be found on the rivers fly fishing, boating at the cabin on Seeley Lake, supporting Montana Grizzly Athletics, and most likely on a golf course. He continued his life of diverse passions with 35-plus years in the Glacier Symphony and Chorale, including years singing with their Montanaires group. He performed in weddings, musical theater, and at private events. Jim devoted significant time to each performance, making sure it was perfected before ever stepping on stage. His life and the lives of many others were enriched through his musical ability.
Retirement brought new adventures; something Jim was always ready for. He and Lori spent their winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. Days were filled with golfing, tennis, pickleball, swimming, and happy hours with new and old friends.
After around two years of symptoms, Jim was diagnosed with ALS. He handled his disease with grace, never saying “why me,” but instead “I’d rather it happen to me than someone else.” He never hesitated to tell his children they were his biggest pride, show love to Lori, and value his friends. He enthusiastically supported those participating in activities he no longer could do. He discovered new interests and continued to be one of the most intelligent people many have met, answering questions about almost anything.
He is survived by his wife, Lori; his daughter, Grier; and son, Shay (Grace). He leaves behind four brothers, Gary (Jeanine), Paul (Trisha), Sherman (Donna) and David, as well as several nieces, nephews, and his cherished friends.
A celebration of life will take place on Thursday, Aug. 25, with an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. at Buffalo Hill Golf Course in Kalispell.
Those wishing to honor Jim with a memorial contribution can donate to one of the organizations that impacted his life: Grizzly Scholarship Association (32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812), Glacier Symphony and Chorale (P.O. Box 2491, Kalispell, MT 59903), Buffalo Hill Jr. Golf Fund (P.O. Box 1116, Kalispell, MT 59903), and Team Gleason ALS Foundation (P.O. Box 24493, New Orleans, LA 70184). The mission of Team Gleason is to improve the lives of people living with ALS.
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