Craig "C L" Leroy Smith

Our beloved, Craig Leroy Smith, went to be with our heavenly father on December 31, 2023, at 8:39 p.m. He passed with his loved ones by his side and on the phone providing him with love, comfort, and prayers. Craig, or CL as he preferred to be called, was born in Grants Pass Oregon on November 30, 1946, to Arthur Llyod Smith and Esther Darlene Smith. He spent his young life with his mother and father and two brothers, Drake and Zane, in Springfield Oregon. As a youth, CL loved to spend time with his grandpa Hildebrand and go hunting and fishing with his dad, brothers, and lifelong friends. He graduated from Springfield High in 1965 and spent some time in college before joining the steam-fitter and welding trade. His first marriage resulted in the birth of his daughter, Darcy, and son, Daymon, who he loved very much. CL loved fishing and in the late sixties became a commercial fisherman, fishing the west coast for tuna, salmon and halibut in his beloved boats, Madeline J. and El Milagro.

In the mid-1970s, CL returned to the welding trade, and in 1979 he met the love of his life Gina and her two sons, Raul and Alex, who he came to call his sons. He and Gina married in 1979 in Hawaii and from there they started their adventure in life together. They opened a successful restaurant, Casa Olamendis, dabbled in the selling of barbeque sauce, Raging Cajun, and eventually created GeoTerra, a very successful vegetation and construction services company for the oil and gas industry. Even though he was an entrepreneur by nature, CL loved to hunt, fish and spend time with his family. He retired in the early 2010s and returned to his passion -- deep sea fishing. He and Gina joined the Southwestern Yacht Club where they made many more friends. CL spent his retirement years doing what he loved, fishing with family and friends, particularly for the elusive bluefin tuna on his beloved boat, the Lady G. He loved kids and participated extensively in the Southwestern Club’s junior program helping young boys and girls learn how to fish.

CL is preceded in death by his father, mother and brother Zane. He is survived by his wife, Gina; brother, Drake; his children and their spouses, Darcy and Roberto, Raul and Melissa, Alex and Nhina and Daymon and Jennifer; and his grandchildren, Kaylee, Josh, Nicholas, Madeline, Chelsea, Noah, Emily, Sophia, Amanda, Lindsey and his many great grandchildren. CL was a man of God who believed in our lord and savior, Jesus Christ, and he kept his faith throughout his life. He will be remembered with love by his family and friends.

A visitation at the chapel of the roses for C L will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A funeral service at the chapel of the roses will occur Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A committal service will occur Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902.