Arlene Rae Smith was the only child born to Ray and Wilda Johns on April 23, 1937 in Pierre, South Dakota. Ray moved his family to Friant, California in 1939 to work on the construction of the Friant Dam.
Arlene grew up in Fresno and graduated from Fresno High in 1955. Arlene was always adventurous and enjoyed fishing, camping, and the outdoors. Arlene's travels including fishing Alaska, Baja and Oregon, swimming with the piranha in Peru, traveling to Hawaii and Paris with her girlfriends, and visiting friends in Canada.
In 1973, she made her solo flight to obtain her pilot's license. Arlene spent 15 years wintering in Baja, California on the beach in her motor home and palapa. She lived on the Rogue River in Shady Cove, Oregon for 23 years before returning to Fresno five years ago.
Arlene is survived by her two daughters, Jill and Jodi, two granddaughters, and two great grandsons. Arlene leaves behind many true friends. Her life in Baja was the highlight of her travels.
