Kimbal R. Smith III

Age 72, of Lansing, MI, passed away October 17, 2015, due to complications of a stroke. Kimbal was born August 4, 1943, in East Grand Rapids, MI, to Geer and Virginia Smith.

Kimbal graduated from Ionia High School, attended Albion College and Michigan State University, and graduated from the Detroit College of Law. He went on to practice law for over 40 years.

Besides being in private practice, he served as Ionia City Attorney, Deputy State Treasurer for Michigan, was a member of the Michigan Municipal Bond Authority, and an adjunct professor for Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Kimbal also served as a magistrate on the Michigan Tax Tribunal and in 2011 was appointed Tribunal chairman and served in that capacity until his stroke in 2013.

Kimbal enjoyed politics, golf, and reading. He was a member of the Country Club of Lansing or many years and he loved to travel with his wife, L’Mell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 40 years, Margaret “L’Mell” Smith. He is survived by his son, Kimbal R. Smith IV; 3 grandchildren; brother, Geer (Ruth) Smith; cousin, David Campbell of Idaho; a niece and nephew; and his four beloved Tibetan Terriers.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to Arcadia Home Care and Residential Hospice for its wonderful care of Kimbal over the last 2 years and his end of life journey.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2015, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. Interment will follow in Highland Park Cemetery in Ionia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society in Kimbal’s name.

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7 Messages to “Kimbal R. Smith III

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Cynthia Knoll
October 20, 2015 at 4:45 pm

Best wishes in life ever after. You were truly an amazing man on this earth.

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Victoria L Enyart
October 21, 2015 at 8:30 pm

Kimbal was a friend and then the chairperson. I hope that he finds L’Mell and out of pain. Condolences to his family.

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Della Goble
October 22, 2015 at 1:59 am

My prayers to the family.

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Kim Patrick
October 22, 2015 at 4:16 pm

My deepest sympathy and condolences goes out to the Smith family. I share a somewhat personal bond with Kimball. My mother told me that after the Smith’s named their son Kimball, she really took a liking to the name. In fact, she liked it so well that she gave me the same first name. So I was kind of named after him. I also have very fond memories of being in the Smith house on Lafayette Street in Ionia. The picture upstairs of David Campbell in his Detroit Tigers uniform is etched in my memory. Geer Jr. was always very kind to me and we spent a lot of time cruising and having fun. Great memories are what make us human and I have very dear memories of the Smith family. Kimball made this planet a much better place and he will be missed.

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Jim Schwartz
October 22, 2015 at 9:36 pm

Kim and Geer were like brothers to me. We had a lot of great and memorable golf trips to Myrtle Beach and around Lansing. Kim I tip my golf cap to you. You were a good friend, a fun golfer, and truly a Southern Gentleman” . You will be sadly missed by your family and all of us whose lives you touched in all aspects of your work and personal life. Rest in peace my friend, and tell St. Peter you didn’t come to Heaven to lay up!

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Toni Ann Buys
October 24, 2015 at 6:24 am

I worked for Kim in Ionia for several years and last saw him in 2010 when he was in Ionia. It was always interesting to listen to his stories and watch the animations that accompanied the story. He was a character and added lots of color to the world. My sympathies to Geer, Jr and family. Rest in peace, KR.

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Stewart Mandell
October 26, 2015 at 6:32 pm

What Kim accomplished while Chair of the Tribunal was truly amazing. I hope that he is now at peace and that his family and friends will be comforted in knowing that his outstanding work at the Tribunal was greatly appreciated.

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