Obituary of Gordon R Smith

Gordon R. Smith, age 87 Gordon Robert Smith went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 20th, 2015 due to natural causes. He was born on April 16th, 1928 to Lee and Edna Smith in Twin Falls, Idaho. He started out as an Idaho farm boy but had a curiosity and a desire to learn and do more. While his father maintained workhorses on the farm, the age of mechanical farming was dawning and Gordon took to the machinery and engines and the tinkering and fixing them that was a part of farm life. By the age of 14, he’d talked his father into bidding on a jalopy in a farm auction and for $25 (repaid to his father in installments) he had his first car, which he promptly spruced up and customized. By the age of 16, he had earned his pilot’s license and was learning to fly crop dusters. After graduating High School, Gordy enlisted in the US Army Air Force between World War II and the Korean War and served as an aircraft mechanic. During his enlistment, he was stationed in many faraway places, including Okinawa, Japan and the Philippines. He had risen to the rank of Staff Sergeant when he received his honorable discharge. After completing his enlistment, Gordy attended Seattle University on the G.I. Bill, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science with honors in Chemical Engineering. While living and going to school in Seattle he met and married his wife of 59 years, Frances Jean. After graduating from SU, the young couple lived in Bozeman, MT while Gordon completed his Masters of Science in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University. In 1952, Gordy began working for 3M at company headquarters in St. Paul, MN. His work for 3M began as a research scientist in the company’s R and D Labs and by 1977 he had achieved the position of Division Technical Director. Some of the research he was involved in was developing the magnetic tape technology that later made cassette and video recording possible. While living in Minnesota, Gordy and Fran had four daughters, Lorna (St. Paul, MN), Julie (Los Angeles, CA), Carol (Concord, CA), and Bonnie (Shelton, WA). Of course, in Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes, the family did live on a lake and Gordy taught all of his girls to fish, handle watercraft and waterski. Gordy greatly enjoyed boating and this resulted in a succession of larger boats, on which he took his family and friends on many adventures on the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. A good time was had by all. While involved in boating as a boat owner, Gordy joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, in order to teach other boaters about safety on the water. In 1977, Gordy decided to return with his family to the Northwest. He and Fran decided to buy the local Coast to Coast Hardware store in Shelton, WA and operated it for six years until 1983, when Gordy decided to sell the store and get into the infant Computer business. He and Fran established and operated Shelton Computing Services for 16 years before retiring in 1999. While being a business owner in Shelton, Gordy was an active member in the Shelton Rotary Club. After retirement, he and Fran made many road trips throughout the Pacific Coast states and the western part of the nation, in a succession of cars manufactured in Germany, including Mercedes Benz, which were his pampered favorites. Gordy also loved working in his yard and became an azalea and rhododendron aficionado, a master raspberry and vegetable grower and a big fan of Clematis vines. He also enjoyed helping his daughters with their hobbies and projects and could always be counted on to respond with enthusiasm, practical advice and tools. Gordy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Fran, parents Lee and Edna, sister Helenita and cousin Conrad. His family and many friends, made during his assorted careers and hobbies will greatly miss him. As per Gordy’s wishes, no service will be held. However, his daughters will host an Open House for friends and family to reminiscence about his life on Saturday, May 16th, noon to 3 p.m. at the family home at 1030 Laurel St. in Shelton, WA. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.