George I. Smith
February 22, 1923 - August 16, 2011
Obituary
George I. Smith
George passed away on August 16, 2011 at his home near Port Orchard, WA. A teacher and nature lover, he was also known for his wit, humor, and fondness for dogs. George served in the Navy during World War II as a sonar operator, primarily in the South Pacific and later at Fort Warden overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Following his military service, he attended the University of Washington and graduated with a degree in English in 1951. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Puget Sound. For 28 years he taught English in the Tacoma School District, including Stewart Jr. High, Stadium High, and Wilson High. He also served as the Local Union President of the American Federation of Teachers.
George was born in Chicago, IL on February 22, 1923, and while it was the anniversary of George Washington’s birth, he was named after his uncle, George Isaac Smith. He graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit, MI in 1941 after spending a brief part of his youth in Kelso, WA. After settling in the Seattle area, he met and married Donna Lee Truitt in 1952, moving to the Kitsap Peninsula in 1964.
While George retired from teaching professionally in 1979, he continued promoting the value of curiosity, books, and learning. A lifelong avid reader, he encouraged his children and grandchildren to pursue knowledge from reading. The New Yorker Magazine’s witty cartoons were always his favorites, especially if they included a dog or cat. He enjoyed traveling, making numerous trips to London. His keen interest in the stock market culminated with a trip to Hong Kong in 1999 following a personal invitation to attend a stock holder’s meeting.
For more than 40 years, George looked forward to the annual camping trip with his family to Cooper Lake near Cle Elum, WA, and he was able attend through 2010. He enjoyed being outdoors bird watching, fishing, or just enjoying a glass of wine on the patio.
Above all, George valued family and is survived by his wife of 59 years, Donna Lee Smith, son Stephen Smith Judy of Federal Way, three daughters, Colleen Myrick Carl of Gilbert, AZ, Lisa Calkins Brian of Brush Prairie, WA, and Diana Tanner Mark of Bellingham, WA, eleven grandchildren, and one great grandson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Sally Michaux Tucker Smith, his father, Robert Leland Smith, and three Smith brothers: Cassius Freeman, Robert Leland Jr., and Hartwell Tucker.
Known as George, Dad, or Grandpa Bumpa, he will be dearly missed, but not forgotten, by all those who knew and loved him. Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday August 26th Bonney-Watson/Washington Memorial Park.
My heart is heavy with sadness with the passing of my dear Uncle George. Even though I lived far away, his love of family reached me throughout the years—through holiday greetings, always including a clever handwritten note and visits to Washington, D.C. and Germany where my husband, Ralph, and I lived. On those rare occasions when we were together or spoke on the phone, his wry wit invariably cracked me up and his enormous zest for life sent my spirits soaring. Those happy memories I have forever.
Gayle Smith Padgett
Daughter of Cassius F. Smith, George’s oldest brother
Aix-en-Provence, France