Joseph Edward Smith

Joseph "Joe" Edward Smith went to his forever home February 16, 2017. He was born October 5, 1950 in Traverse City, Michigan to George Sylvester Smith and Eudora Beulah Lillywhite Smith. Joe had four siblings, Sandy Smith Beall, Tom Smith, Patti Smith Blanchard, and Mike Smith. He spent considerable time working with his dad and big brother, Tom at his dad’s gas station. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and swimming in and around Grand Traverse Bay, and playing in the lakes and fields around Traverse City with his family. After graduation Joe left for the U.S. Navy from 1969 - 1973. He was stationed mostly in south Asia to Vietnam on the USS Roark Destroyer-1053. Joe traveled on leave from San Diego several times with shipmate, Terry Schulz to the Rogue Valley. Upon completing his tour he settled in Medford, Oregon where Keith Schulz told him if he was going to hang at the shop so much he might as well get to work. In 1975 Judy Gilliam went to work at Keith Schulz Garage and the rest, they say, was the beginning of their history together. They married in August 1976 and five years later brought home baby girl, Meagan Brianne. In 1983 they brought home a baby boy named Nathan George. That same year they became partners with Harold Pretorius and bought Keith Schulz Garage. Joe and Judy were baptized in 2008 and have grown with the love and care of a church family at New Beginnings Church. They enjoyed watching Meagan and Nathan’s families grow. Mike and Meagan Holte have children, Tavan and Jaylinn. Nathan and Jamie have children, Brady and Henry. Hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends always brought a smile to his face and made many memories to be cherished. Joe’s presence will always be missed but we know the pathway to Jesus, his Savior, Son of God. Joe is survived by his loving wife, Judy Smith; his daughter, Meagan B. Smith Holte; son-in-law, Mike Holte; son, Nathan G. Smith; daughter-in-law, Jamie Cook Smith; grandchildren, Tavan and Jaylinn Holte, and Brady and Henry Smith; sister, Sandy Smith Beall of Paso Robles, California and family; brother, Tom Smith of Traverse City, Mich. and family; sister, Patti Smith Blanchard of Columbia, Missouri and family; and brother, Mike Smith of Phoenix, Arizona and family. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Joe’s life at 10:00 a.m. March 4, 2017 at New Beginnings Church, 5889 Crater Lake Hwy. Central Point, Ore.