Gordon Whitney Smith

GEYSERVILLE, Calif. -- Gordon W. Smith, of Alexander Valley, passed away July 22, 2006, in Santa Rosa.

He was born Dec. 21, 1930, in Brownville Junction, Maine, to Whitney George and Alice Daly Smith. He attended Brownville Junction schools and spent his first year of study at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where he was a member of the English Debating Society. He spent his second year of study at the University of Maine at Orono and was inducted into the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He joined the Army and became a member of the 187th Airborne Division and fought in the Korean War, where he won a Bronze Star for valor during the Kumhua Valley campaign. After his Army service, he re-entered the University of Maine at Orono and received a bachelor's degree in history and government in 1957. He entered the teaching profession and taught at a number of schools. He spent his last 17 years of teaching in Madison, Maine, teaching English, Latin, civics and history. He coached drama at the high school and won a number of local and state awards. Gordon was a lifelong history buff, particularly ancient history. Gordon also became a collector of firearms and cars and restored two Porsches: a 1974, 914 and a 1962 series 356. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and rode his motorcycle around the Alexander Valley area.

Gordon is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Kelley (James) Young of Alexander Valley, Geyserville; his son, Whitney Walter Smith and wife, Julie Badger, of El Cerrito; former wife, Donna Grayce Kelley and husband, Tom Campbell, of Santa Rosa; four granddaughters, Courtney Raychel Cuberly, Madeline Kelley Stewart, Lauren Eleanor Smith and Grace Olivia Smith. He is also survived by sisters, Eleanor McKenzie of Pasadena, and Barbara Vardamis of Fullerton, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Gary Smith of Skowhegan; and his sisters, Ruth Weber of Novato and Carol Dyer of Grass Valley.

His ashes will be interred at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Brownville Junction, beside his father and his brother.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local public radio or television station in his name.