Jerry Lynn Smith

Jerry was born in the Klamath Falls Hospital to Red and Helen Smith. He graduated from Brookings Harbor High School in 1957 and Oregon State University in 1962 with a degree in Forestry. From a young age he always enjoyed being out in the woods. His career in the forestry industry kept him walking in the woods across Oregon and Washington for the early part of his career. He entered government service in the early eighties and worked for the Soil Conservation Service and then the National Resource Conservation Service until his retirement. After retiring from work he still spent many hours in the woods, whether as a docent at Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail or as a bird watcher. When Jerry wasn’t wandering through forests, he could be found singing in the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation church choir, or volunteering his time with Bread and Roses, Camp Quixote, and Habitat for Humanity. When not out and about he could be found carving small wooden birds or creating beautiful pieces of stained glass. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who was always willing to talk and had a good story to tell.

Jerry is survived by his second wife of 36 years of marriage, Virginia Smith, and her two children Eric Lassen and Anne Brown. He is also survived by his first wife Kathy LaFrance who is the mother of his children, Charmaine Gural and Graham Smith. Jerry also leaves behind his little sister, Mary Gail Evans Wallen, and his six beloved grandchildren, Noah Smith, Jonas Brown, Tabitha Smith, Molly Lassen, Sophie Brown, and Jasper Lassen.

His Celebration of Life will happen later this summer. If you are interested in attending, please contact a family member or send an email to [email protected]. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of these charities in Jerry’s name: South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, Camp Quixote, Alzheimer’s Association, or The National Audubon Society.