GERALD MARTIN SMITH

Smith, Gerald Martin, age 73, passed away Saturday, October 2, 2010, at his home in Gold Hill, Oregon, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Gerald was born November 15, 1936 in Torrance, CA. He graduated from High School in 1953 at the American Community School (ACS) in Beirut, Lebanon, and received his BS Degree in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. He worked as a Chemical Engineer/Project Engineer/Project Manager for almost 50 years for companies around the world, living and working in places such as New York, Libya, Indonesia, Ecuador and 12 countries in Europe. In 1972 he came back to Southern California and made his home there for the next 25 years before moving to Gold Hill, Oregon in 1998. Gerald's many hobbies and interests include, traveling, fishing, hiking, camping, gardening, reading, classical music, and theater. He also had a love of nature, especially birds, bats and most of all Salukis! He was very involved with volunteering at the Cancer Resource Center at Providence Hospital, and the Smart Reading Program at Patrick Elementary School in Gold Hill. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club. Gerald 's greatest achievement was raising 8 children. He will be remembered by all as being exceptionally optimistic, generous, courageous and kind. Survivors include his former wife, Marion Woods; his 8 children, Don Russel Kigore and wife Jeannie, Peri Day, Lisa Fritz and her husband David, Dorie Owen and her husband Bill, Damita Kilgore, Marc Smith and his wife Michelle, Dan Smith and his wife Veronica, Ramon Smith and his wife Karla; his 14 grandchildren, Ronald Smith, Crystal Williams, Nicole Smith, Justin Smith, RC Kilgore, Katie Kilgore, Skylar Smith, Kyle Kilgore, Kyle Lopez, Ryan Lopez, Joshua Smith, Faith Smith, Matthew Smith, Ethan Smith; his 3 great-grandchildren, Luis Aguilar, Lexy Aguilar, Ruby Aguilar; and his companion, Gail Stream. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Martin Smith in 2000 and Mae Bell Smith in 1999, and his wife, Dorothy Brown Smith in 2004. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2010, 2pm at The Rogue Regency Inn, 2300 Biddle Rd, Medford, Oregon 97504. Relatives and Friends are welcome! Memorial Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. For more information please contact Michelle Smith at 951-522-4394 or smithmichelle@earthlink.net

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