Obituary: Connie Smith

In the 1950s, Connie played city ball and spent many basketball seasons as a high school referee in the Gorge with his brother-in-law, Ross Scoville. Connie also played handball, racquetball into his 70s and golf into his 80s.

Along with cousin, Marvin Harder, and friend, Bruce Erickson, Connie helped found the Hood River Little League. Connie coached his son Philip’s team and remained very involved in the success of Little League for decades. He took a great interest in promoting Philip’s basketball and football skills too and attended as many games and competitions as possible. Connie supported Charlotte’s dancing and she even accompanied him occasionally to games he refereed and danced as the half time entertainment!

In 1950, Connie began his long, successful career in the automobile business with his brother, Billy Smith, when they purchased the Texaco gas station on the Heights in Hood River. They soon added their first car dealership, Smith’s Rambler. Billy eventually moved on to the construction business, but Connie remained in sales and, over a span of 35 years, operated franchises that included Nash, Rambler, AMC, Jeep, Datsun and Nissan. In 1972, he and Joan built a new building to showcase and sell cars at 1203 12th St. The new Smith’s Autocenter Building incorporated a large showroom, parts and automotive service and several business rental spaces.

Connie and Joan purchased a stately older home in west Hood River in 1974 and renovated it to become a lovely dining restaurant, The Stonehedge Inn, which they owned and operated for 10 years before selling, retiring and building a home in Sun City West, Arizona. They spent many winters in the sunshine playing golf, tennis, handball, racquetball, enjoying their dogs and their kids vacation visits. Connie was an active member of the community, serving on the Hood River City Council in the 1960s and other community projects. He was a lifelong member with the Hood River Elks, and proud to serve as an officer and Exalted Ruler.

Connie was a loving father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his two children, Charlotte (Richard) Arnold of Hood River, and Philip (Victoria) Smith of Scottsdale, Arizona; five grandchildren, Jacob Arnold (Jessica Han), Nicholas Arnold (Brian Burke), Meredith Arnold (Harvey Anton), Monica (Timothy) Fitzgerald, and Morgan (Taelor) Worrell; and five great grandchildren, Dyllan Arnold, Lola Anton, Olivia Fitzgerald, Finley Fitzgerald and Blayne Worrell.

Connie will be remembered by family and friends as an active community member, a devoted family man, businessman and entrepreneur, sports enthusiast and friend and a lover of dogs. He and Joan were especially devoted to their many Golden Retrievers and adopted many in their lifetimes together.

A memorial service will be held in Hood River at Anderson’s Tribute Center at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 28. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Connie L. Smith to Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation, PO Box 25391, Portland OR 97298-0391; goldenbondrescue.com.