Wesley Roger Smith was born on Oct. 16, 1946, in Bend, Oregon to his parents Frieda and Glenn Smith. At the time, Frieda and Glenn lived in logging camps in Central Oregon as Glenn worked in the woods, and Frieda had gone to stay at a hotel in Bend weeks before Wes was born, so she would be near the hospital when her time came. Wes’s baby sister, Janet Rita, joined the family in 1948. By the time Wessie and Janet were school-age, the family moved to town so the kids could attend school in Klamath Falls. Wes and Janet were treasured and doted upon by Glenn, Frieda, and an extended family of Kooyman and Smith grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins. Wes lovingly spoke of family gatherings in Fort Klamath, Whidbey Island, and Vancouver, BC. Sadly Wes’s younger sister Janet passed away in 1961 of leukemia, and the family was forever changed. Wes graduated from Klamath Union High School, attended Southern Oregon College (or SOC as he called it), and graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Forestry. His parents were so proud of him.
Wes married his high school sweetheart, Jeanette Olson, in Reno in 1968. They settled in Stayton, Oregon, where Wes was the controller at a brand new manufactured home plant, Guerdon Industries. Their daughter, Meryl Janet, was born in 1973, and son, Evan Daniel, came along in 1979. Wes was active in the Stayton community and served on the Planning Commission, Kiwanis Club, and ran for mayor. In the early 1980’s, Wes and Jeanette, along with their business partners, built, owned, and operated Henry’s Garage Restaurant and Lounge at Santiam Golf Course in Stayton. The restaurant was well-loved by the community. Wes held a career that spanned decades in the manufactured home industry with positions in sales, management, and accounting. He had many friends and they meant the world to him, each and every one.
In 1997 Wes married Sharon Hoag in Salem. Wes and his sweetie pie, as he affectionately called Sharon, enjoyed more than 25 years together. He gained three bonus kids, Brian, Julie, and Mary, and their spouses, and was lovingly enveloped by Sharon's extended family, which made him extremely happy. Wes and Sharon enjoyed boating, traveling, bowling, golfing, playing cards, and hosting and attending parties and gatherings with family and friends. They especially loved visiting family in Canada and southern Oregon, attending big family reunions, and visiting Sharon’s family all around the country. Above all, Wes and Sharon loved spending time with their grandkids Lester, Wyatt, Emily, Morgan, Kyle, Grace, Makenzie, Elias, and Owen and great-grandkids Emma, Daniel, Loretta, Henry, and Rosie. They attended every sporting event, activity, awards ceremony, and graduation. Wes particularly loved seeing the great-grandbabies and his big smile lit up especially for them. He was so proud of all his kids and grandkids.
Wes passed away in Salem on January 4, 2023, after years of medical issues. His family would like to thank the caring staff of Regency Woodland, Serenity Hospice, and Pastors Tom and Jody of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Kidney Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, January 28, at 1:00 PM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Salem and all are welcome. The celebration will be live streamed at OurSaviorsSalem.org.
Wes is survived by his wife Sharon, his kids Meryl and Spencer Bromley, Evan and Lisa Smith, Brian and Jane Hoag, Julie and Richard Kirk, Mary and Steve Polanski, and all the grandkids and great-grandkids. No words can express how much we love and will miss our husband/dad/stepdad/grandpa/Boppa. If he was here today, Wes would say he loves you, he’s proud of you, and to go home and hug your babies.
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