Obituary of Patrick Ronald Smith

Pat was one of six children born to Marjorie and James Smith in Tacoma, Washington. Due to a series of events, he came to live with his foster father, Pete Pillar, in nearby Shelton. He started his working life at Apex Grocery in Shelton. After graduating from Shelton High School, Pat then served in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany until circumstances brought him back to Tacoma. There he worked for Manke Lumber Company and married his second wife, Toni Smith (Zimmerman). They had two beautiful daughters of whom he was very proud and with whom he shared an enthusiasm for the arts, and for their farm full of horses. Pat’s siblings here in the Pacific Northwest missed him when he took his family to New Orleans sometime later, where fate and adventure landed him a 35-year career with Chevron Oil Company. Brave and naïve, Pat saw a fire burning—on an oil rig—and took the only option apparent to him: he put it out. His instinct, matched with his demonstrated sense of responsibility and concern for others, earned him management roles worldwide, from South Korea to Nigeria. From Louisiana, Pat moved his family to Texas and found many friends in the Southern states, where he enjoyed a good-natured community. Pat loved a good party. Whether hosting or merely attending, he was wonderful at both. A life-long learner, Pat particularly enjoyed history and those who made it. Back in Washington, Pat was surrounded by family and old friends, an abundance of warmth so powerful that he survived several terminal prognosis by half a decade and passed away, at home, in his sleep one night following a short run-in with lung cancer. He is survived by his daughters Lace and Simone Smith; and his siblings, Kathleen (Kate) Larsson, and Christopher (Chris) Smith. His sister, Victoria (Vickie), brother Michael and his brother William (Bill) Smith preceded him. Observances may be given in his name to the American Cancer Society, American Legion, or the charity of your choice.