Phillip George Smith

1953 - 2011

PHILLIP GEORGE SMITH

Phillip George Smith, on Friday, May 27, 2011, after a heroic battle against renal cell cancer, died peacefully at home in Corning, California, surrounded by his loved ones. To many who knew him, the way Phil lived his life, was an inspiration.

Born September 4, 1953, in Woodland, California, to Henry and Margaret Smith. Phil grew up in Esparto, California, and attended Esparto High School. Born into a longstanding farming family, Phil worked on his family's ranches in Esparto and Fort Bragg, California. He went on to Modesto Junior College; University of California, Davis; and California State University, Chico. At Chico State, he studied stoned fruits and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Pomology. Phil began working in the olive industry at Bell Carter in 1978; this position was the birth of a career he loved. He subsequently went on to become the Plant Manager of Ehmann Olive Company, in Oroville, which later became Delallo Italian Foods. Phil was an olive aficionado, always adding olives to his dishes, and experimenting with new tapenades.

Phil married the love of his life, Susie Becker on August 6, 1988. They lived in Chico, CA with their beloved cat and dog. Although Phil and Susie did not have children, Phil was a devoted and proud "Uncle Phil" to many nieces and nephews; whom he loved as he would his own children.

In 1999, Phil and Susie returned to the Ten Mile River Ranch in Fort Bragg to live and work. There, they enjoyed being with Phil's parents in their final years.

He was an active outdoorsman throughout his lifenothing stopped him from enjoying nature. For almost 40 years Phil valued the annual hunting trips at the ranch with his college roommates. He was a golfer, and enjoyed traditional and Frisbee golf. Phil played tennis and racket ball, he enjoyed snow skiing and running. He was kind, loving, encouraging, and had a thoughtful presence, which allowed him to share his vast knowledge without seeming pretentious. His humorous stories live on within us.

Phil is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Susie, and their loyal dog, Roamin; his three sisters, Margaret, Barbara, and Susan; loving mother-in-law, Rita Bauman; and numerous loving brother and sister-in-laws; nieces; nephews; great-nieces, and nephews.

Preceding Phil in death were his parents, Henry R. and Margaret L. Smith, and his younger brother, Brian Smith, all of Fort Bragg, California.

A Celebration of Phil's life will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 12 noon, at 5041 Toomes Ave. in Corning, CA.

Those who wish to make a donation in Phil's memory, may do so to the Shari Jenkins Children's Memorial Fund, c/o Hall Brothers Mortuary, P.O. Box 67, Corning, CA 96021.