Terry Neil Smith

In Memory of Terry Neil Smith
Terry Neil Smith was born on September 26, 1950, in Southern California to Neil and Betty Smith. He passed away on November 18, 2025, at the age of 75.

In 1960, at the age of ten, Terry moved with his family to a home at Castle Beach, Santa Cruz. It was there that Terry, and his brother Keith discovered their love for the ocean. They learned to surf on mats at the river mouth, where a surf break existed, and were introduced to longboarding by a legendary Santa Cruz surfer. This began a lifelong connection to surf culture that shaped Terry's entire life.

The family relocated to Aptos (Seacliff) in 1963, where Terry forged lifelong friendships. He played a key role in forming the Brown Bathroom Surfers Diversified (BBSD), a local surf club that later became the Rio Surfing Organization (RSO). These groups of teenagers competed with other area surf clubs, with the Manresa Moana Makani being their main rival. Terry was also a member of the Santa Cruz Longboard Union, further solidifying his place in the local surfing community.

Around 1974, Terry settled at the renowned "Beach House" in La Selva Beach where he Lived, Loved and Laughed, and surfed of course.
Gatherings there were abundant at the beach below and on the expansive lawn after surfing contests and volleyball matches, some of the best spikers around played on the beach there.

Music shaped Terry's life and brought him joy daily. He was constantly exploring new genres and artists, sharing his discoveries with friends, bringing people together and creating memorable moments.

Terry graduated from Watsonville High School and was a Graduate of San Jose State in Environmental Studies.
Terry began his working life with his landscape maintenance business before dedicating the rest of his career as a cabinet maker and installer for Ueberrhein cabinets. Here, he honed his artful woodworking skills and formed lasting friendships, counting the owner, Bill Ueberrhein, among his closest friends and mentor.

In addition to surfing, Terry loved everything "sports", beach volleyball, tennis, golf, basketball, skiing, waterskiing... you name it he loved it and always up for the challenge. He discovered the love of tennis and joined the Tennis Club of Rio Del Mar where he and his then-wife met a whole new circle of friends.

Travel adventures were many for Terry to destinations throughout the United States, as well as trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, and Europe.
Unique surf trips to "The Ranch" (invitation only) were exceptionally special to Terry.

Although Terry did not have children of his own, he had a deep affection for kid's. In addition to cherishing his beloved nieces, Terry was fondly known as "Uncle Terry" to many. He was especially proud to be the Godfather of Scott Ueberrhein, whom he expressed devotion to after Scott's father passed. His genuine love for young people became an endearing part of his legacy, touching many lives beyond his immediate family.

His friends were his family; his family were his friends, sports and music topped all.

He is preceded in death by his mother, his father, and his beloved sister-in-law Judy Smith.
Terry is survived in death by his brother Keith Smith, his nieces Alisha, Lindsay, and Rachel Smith, and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends at the La Selva Beach Clubhouse
314 Estrella Ave, La Sela Beach, CA
on Feb 28,2026 at 3pm.

Please bring your favorite story of Terry.