Clarence Gray Smith

Clarence G. “Smitty” Smith was born on August 9, 1917 to Herbert and Louise Smith in Kansas City, MO. He completed his education in Kansas City and graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1938. In 1939, he married Dorothey Jane Bailey, also from North Kansas City High School. He attended Finley Engineering College for one year.

Smitty was drafted in 1943 and joined the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged in 1946 after having served in Hawaii and the Philippines. He attained the rank of corporal in the field artillery.

After the war, Smitty returned to the construction trades and worked as lather. In 1957, he and his family relocated to Tucson, AZ where he continued his lathing career. He served as Business Agent for the Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers local union. In 1962 the family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. Smitty organized, owned and managed CGS Lath and Plaster (Campbell, CA) from 1967 until he retired in 1983. He remained a loyal union member and earned a lifetime membership.

After retirement, he and his wife, Dorothey, lived in Tracy, CA, Phoenix, AZ, North Kansas City, MO and finally settled in Apache Junction, AZ. They moved into The Grand Court (an assisted living facility), Mesa, AZ in August, 2010. Smitty died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 26, in the presence of his wife and daughter.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothey, and his sister, Rosella Rhodus of Wheatland, MO., daughter, Susan Zohar, and son, Jerry Smith. Left behind are eight grandchildren and eight great-children.

Services will be held at King of Kings Lutheran Church, Apache Junction, AZ on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements under the direction of Melcher Mortuary Mission Chapel & Crematory, Mesa, AZ.