Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Jerry Ivan Smith was born in Toppenish, Wash., on Oct. 19, 1938, to Claire Smith and Vivian Strebe Smith. Jerry and family moved to Husum, Wash., where he lived most of his 85 years. He passed away on March 16, 2024, at the Oregon Veterans Home in the Dalles, Ore.
After graduating from high school in White Salmon, Wash., Jerry joined the U.S. Army and spent time at Ford Ord, Calif., returning back to the area after his honorable discharge. Jerry did some rodeos, riding bulls and bucking horses. He worked at different jobs until he started selling cars. He ran his own car lot in White Salmon for many years. Jerry drove trucks and ran a foundry in Dallesport, Wash., that made rock crusher parts. He retired and pursued his love of golf, hunting and fishing.
Jerry was very active in county government, serving on boards, keeping his toes in politics and giving his opinion to others. He loved to tell jokes, good or bad, and laughed heartily with the recipients. His last major project was his proudest, creating the Military Walk of Honor at the White Salmon Cemetery. With help of friends and businesses, the Walk of Honor now has more than 300 plaques honoring veterans.
Jerry’s children are daughters Saige Smith Rose and Erika Smith Stanley; wife Becky Smith; and four grandchildren, Mackenzie, Karli, Whitney and Christian. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Dick Smith, sister Judy Shum and daughter Erika.
A memorial service will be held at the White Salmon Elks Lodge on April 13 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to Alzheimer’s associations to find a cure.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(0) entries
Sign the guestbook.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.