Michael Paul Smith

Michael Paul Smith passed away on November 26, 2023 in Moreno Valley, California. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years Jenny Smith, his children Deborah Smith (Darrell Hall) and Jerry Ting, as well as four beloved grandchildren: Veronica, Alison, Michael and Annwyl.

He was born in Orange, California to parents, James “Tim” Smith and Ethel “Blanche” McClay (Droege). As a child, he recalled growing up near the beach, swimming in the ocean, getting bit by sand fleas, and watching grunion runs. As a young man, he walked and hitch-hiked the length of coastal California, up into the Pacific Northwest, and finally, Whidbey Island where he stayed with a friend for a little over a week. Mike claimed that the rain suddenly stopped with his arrival and returned after his departure, and for many years afterwards people would ask his friend about “the Boy from California who Brought the Sun.”

At the age of 22, Mike enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served in the military for 22 years. He was first stationed in the Philippines and worked primarily as a flight medic for wounded American soldiers from Vietnam. During the Tet Offensive he flew continuously between Vietnam, the Philippines and the US via Alaska, tending to the wounded going home and sleeping surrounded by crates of ammunition going back. He later assisted in the evacuation of American civilians, military personnel, and refugees during the Fall of Saigon. After serving in numerous locations and roles, he eventually found himself back in California, at March Air Force Base where he worked as a nurse at the base hospital, until his retirement from the military. Afterwards, he provided home health care as a private nurse, and had a reputation for staying with his patients for many years.

He helped innumerable people throughout his life, not just as a medic or nurse, but in a variety of sometimes unbelievable situations and circumstances. In random places he would be greeted with a ‘Smitty!’ by a fellow veteran or by someone who remembered him years later for the help he had provided, often confirming as true one of his “tall tales” that had seemed impossible. One year, he even received a Christmas card from Egypt from a stranger he had helped months earlier - a show of how far his good will had reached.

Mike was an avid reader who could always be found with a book in his hand. He read all subjects, but was most interested in science fiction, fantasy, biographies, and history. He also loved going to the movies and enjoyed watching shows on television. He enjoyed long drives, taking day trips, finding new routes, restaurants and locales to visit. During these drives, he loved sharing stories, talking about past and current events, and admiring the view. But, the thing he loved most, above all, was family, and in particular children. Having grown up an only child, he found a large, extended family through his wife. Over the years, he taught and mentored many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He took them into his home, tutored them in homework, taught them life-lessons, sports, chess, a love of nature and hiking, helped get them out of binds, and gave countless driving lessons.

Mike was quiet and unassuming in his day to day life, but he had a strong moral compass, and was the sort of person who did the right thing, even if that was the more difficult choice. His passing leaves us deeply saddened, but his memory will always be a bright light in our lives, gently guiding us in the right direction, to do the right thing. His love and warmth is felt by many, and continues to resonate in those whose lives he enriched.