James Dean Smith Sr.

James Dean Smith Sr., 24, of Redby, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at Red Lake PHS Indian Hospital in Red Lake.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Little Rock Community Center in Red Lake with the Rev. Josephine Smith officiating. A wake will continue at the Little Rock Community Center in Red Lake until the time of the service. Burial will be in the Redby Community Cemetery, under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

The pallbearers will be Arnold Maxwell Jr., Eli Benais, Albert Benais III, Darwin Johnson, Eagle Lajuenesse, Ralph “Sonny” Cloud Jr., with alternate Derrick Smith Sr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Alan Lajuenesse Jr., Darian Anderson, Kyle Hardy, Rainbow Smith, Gary Smith Jr. and Jeremy “Gizmo” Smith with alternate Brandon Hardy.

He was born Feb. 25, 1985, to Peter Benais and Vicky Smith in Bemidji. He was raised and educated in Red Lake. He enjoyed playing video games, using the Internet, playing basketball, working on cars and spending time with his family. He loved to hunt and fish.

He is survived by his mother of Redby; father of Red Lake; children, Leslie Smith, James Smith Jr. and Jaelynn Smith, all of Redby; a special friend, Cheryl Maxwell of Redby; brothers, Leland Smith Sr. and Nathan Smith, both of Redby; a sister, Sarah Smith of Redby; grandmother, Josephine Benais of Red Lake; uncles and aunts.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Messages of condolence may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.