Vernon T. "Vern" Smith

VERNON "VERN" T. SMITH
May 9, 1949 ~ July 31, 2018

Vernon Smith, age 69, went to heaven on July 31st, 2018 peacefully and with no regrets. He is survived by his wife, Former Congresswoman Linda Smith, their two children, family and friends. He was a native of Vancouver, WA where he attended Shumway Junior High, Fort Vancouver High School and Clark College.

He was a railroad engineer and retired after 44 years of dedicated service. He consistently put actions behind his values and beliefs in partnership with his wife.

He loved his worship team and took great delight in leading his church family in worship at New Life Friends Church. He was a mentor of men and an example of what a man should be. He took great joy in caring for other people where they were. Although small in stature, he was a titan in character uncompromising in what he believed. He instilled in his family an unending love of God.

His loyalty and unconditional love of his family assured them that mistakes would always be forgiven, his humor and character lives on in the hearts of all that loved him.

He was the co-founder of Shared Hope International and the founding member of the Defenders USA. A ministry that he had built alongside his wife, to improve and save the lives of trafficked women and children in the United States and around the world.

Celebration of life will be held on August 11th, 2018 at the Vancouver Church, 3300 NE 78th Street, Vancouver, WA 98665 at 1p.m. Refreshments following the service.
Memorial gifts may be made in his name to Shared Hope International at the following link: https://sharedhope.org/vernsmemorial

A special thanks to Comfort Keepers for their support during a difficult time.
Please sign his Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.