May 9, 1926 – May 10, 2014
K. Blair Smith, 88, of Sweet Home, died May 10. 2014.
He was born May 9, 1926 in Sweet Home to Everett V. and Louise M. (Geil) Smith. He was delivered at the family home on Pleasant Valley road by a doctor who traveled to Sweet Home from Lebanon in a horse drawn buggy.
He was Senior Class President at Sweet Home High School, but left during the middle of that senior year to work as a logger to help support family while his older brother “Bud” fought in the war overseas. He completed graduation requirements shortly after his two years in the Navy.
Mr. Smith served in the United States Navy as a coxwain. He served on a ship that re-supplied fighting vessels in the South Pacific with food and ammunition during the end of World War II. He was honorably discharged. He never fired a shot at the enemy from the small canon he manned.
Mr. Smith lived in Sweet Home his entire life except for six months when he lived in Bandon and his time in the Navy.
He worked in logging until 1960, and worked at Geil’s Mill on 18th for about six months. During his time in the timber industry he served as foreman and superintendent. He then managed the Sweet Home Cemetery District from 1961 to 1988, when he retired.
Mr. Smith served two terms as mayor and on the Sweet Home City Council from 1966 to 1978. He was a volunteer for the Sweet Home Fire Department from 1957 to 1988.
He was named First Citizen by the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce in 1971. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, VFW and American Legion. He was a member of BPOE 1972 for 40 years.
Mr. Smith hunted and fished his entire life. He even hunted last year, in 2013. He last fished in 2012, but he never caught an Oregon steelhead. He died just five days before being able to use his new card and welcome Bi-Mart to his beloved Sweet Home.
He and his wife Beaulah “Ditty” had five sons and two daughters. He made sure his kids learned to love the Lord and learn the Bible at the Sweet Home Evangelical Church. He supported his boys in football, basketball, baseball and wrestling thru Sweet Home Husky programs with district and state honors.
Mr. Smith was a four-sport Husky Letterman himself.
He is survived by Donna Ispas Smith; sons Dennis D., Thomas V., Kelly D., and Harland and daughter-in-law Shirley Smith; daughters Patricia A. and son-in-law Ray Eder, Dixie C. and son-in-law Charlie Clark; sister Gaye and brother-in-law Carl Qualley; 21 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Beaulah Colleen “Ditty” in 2001; son Kirk Smith in 2011; granddaughter Christine Smith in 2014; brothers Everett (Bud), Charles K. “Chuck” Smith; and sisters Meridith Carter, Anna Jeannette Fitzgerald and Alice Jean Mathers.
A memorial service is planned for 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at Sweet Home Evangelical Church.
Memorial Contributions can be made in his name to Sweet Home Alumni Foundation – Chuck Smith Scholarship – P.O. Box 83, Sweet Home, Oregon 97386.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.