San Bernardino Historical Devotee Jim Smith Named Boy Scouts’ Distinguished Citizen

Lifelong San Bernardino resident Jim Smith will accept the honor as the Boy Scouts of America’s Distinguished Citizen during the Arrowhead District’s Distinguished Citizen Dinner slated for Oct. 16 at the San Bernardino Elks Lodge. Smith will be recognized for his commitment to preserving San Bernardino’s rich history and his drive to create a “viable place to live” for San Bernardino residents, past and present. Smith said, “I just want to make sure it’s a better community for you to raise your children, and I want future generations to know the history of San Bernardino and of California.” The distinguished dinner is held annually, honoring and recognizing individuals who have committed to and supported the community of the Arrowhead District, while also raising awareness about the Scouting program and raising funds to grow the program in the San Bernardino area. Smith’s stepdaughter, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Rutherford, will be the keynote speaker of the event. Smith was born in Sacramento in 1943 and at 6 months old moved to San Bernardino. He graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1961 and attended San Bernardino Valley College before enlisting in the United States Air Force, where he served for four years and was honorably discharged as an E-4 in 1965. He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1969 and spent 30 years as a financial adviser. “Except for college and living in Lake Arrowhead for about eight years, I’ve lived my entire life in San Bernardino,” Smith, who lives with his wife Gayla, said. Throughout his life, Smith has been actively involved in emphasizing San Bernardino’s history, ensuring it is recognized and preserved for future generations. Smith has been a 44 year member of Arrowhead Parlor #110, joined the Elks Lodge #836 in 1970 and is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, serving as its Grand President from 1980-1981. Through these groups, Smith works closely with members of the San Bernardino Historical Pioneer and Historical Society, of which he is also a member, and other groups whose intentions are to preserve the city’s history. Smith also serves on the City’s Historical Preservation Commission. Native Sons of the Golden West, Smith explained, has been instrumental in building dedications—including the 1973 dedication of San Bernardino City Hall, the 1983 dedication of the San Bernardino County building on North Arrowhead Avenue, and many area schools—and celebrating important anniversary dates including the National Orange Show’s 100th anniversary in 2010, among others. The Native Sons also hosts an annual statewide 4th Grade Student Essay Contest to “ensure that students remember history in California,” Smith said. Smith has served as the Elks Lodge’s Flag Day chairman for 30 years, a ceremony that takes place every June 14 and in which the Boy Scouts of America are always involved. “I have a love for the Boy Scouts because every year, the Boy Scouts are an integral part of that ceremony. They hold all the historic flags of our nation,” said Smith, who was a Boy Scout himself. The Arrowhead District of the Boy Scouts of America has more than 1,800 youth and over 750 adult members, providing more than 5,000 hours of community service projects to positively impact the community. About 40 Boy Scouts earn the Eagle rank each year, the program’s highest attainable rank. Smith served on the Chamber of Commerce’s committee to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial in 1976 and was actively involved as a member of the San Bernardino City’s own Bicentennial Commission in 2010. He’s served as the president of the Mountain Sunrise Rotary Club and with the local council of the United Commercial Travelers. Smith said though he is “extremely proud” of the honor to be bestowed upon him, he does not seek out awards. “Every day I wake up trying to find out how I can help this community foster,” Smith said. Tickets for the event are $45 each or $80 per couple. A reception and silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the dinner, program and a live auction beginning at 7 p.m.