Christopher Smith Obituary

Christopher Smith
October 30, 1954 - March 14, 2021
Hornbrook, CA
Chris, a well-known lad from Monterey, left us suddenly after a wonderful life always living near the forest and nature. He passed away suddenly after taking a fall and not recovering. Chris loved his childhood on the Monterey Peninsula as his folks moved to Via Ladera from Pacific Grove in 1952. His brother Mark, who came along 2 years later, and Chris loved the location above Walter Colton. The woods was their haven and places they loved to hang out, Devils Canyon, the Quarry, Huckleberry Hill, and Deer Flats were always in their daily activities.
Chris and Mark attended San Carlos and Junipero until Junipero closed in 1970, sending Chris to Monterey High School. Now at a larger school, Chris wanted to play some football and they put him as a defensive end going against the likes of Charles Smith, Herb Lusk, and Herman Edwards. At the time Chris mentioned how physical these dudes were and he didn't want to back down. He loved the game but decided on maybe something a little less physical like Printing!
Luke Phillips, the legendary football coach at MPC was a neighbor across the street in Monterey with his large family of 5: 3 girls and 2 boys and his wonderful wife Vivian who put up with all the hectic activities of the family and neighborhood.
Luke would always comment, "Boy I can't wait until you guys are playing for me at MPC!" Never happened as Chris and Mark played baseball, and Mark tried basketball for a couple of years.
Chris eventually entered the printing industry working at his own shop in Watsonville and married his first wife Debbie. They had two children, Tasha (4 boys) and Trevor, and a home in Aromas. His roots in printing came from his mom, Patricia Galvin, who worked at the Monterey Herald, and his great-grandfather who started a newspaper in Richmond, CA.
Later on down his journey of life, Chris met and married Sandra and they had two kids, Aaron and Tyler. They had a home in Salinas and he worked for a printer until they decided to uproot for Hornbrook, CA, and a simpler life out of the metropolitan. They left for uncharted territory with another family who had the same desires as they on raising a family in the sticks.
Chris ended up a maintenance man at "The Ranch," an RV Resort on the Klamath River, which ended up his workplace for the next 17 years. He became a fixture at the Ranch and all the visitors cornered him for conversation, usually offering a beer after work as he made a boat full of folks days at the Klamath a great experience.
Chris retired a little over a year ago and would stay busy most mornings fixing wooden crates for transport with a friend.
A sad ending to a really active life, but Chris would want us to carry on and remember all the beautiful times we had in the forest.
We will celebrate his life in Monterey sometime in the future at a Park.

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Published by Monterey Herald Obits on Mar. 23, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Smith

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6 Entries

JOHN BANDARRA

April 7, 2021

Was a friend and classmate on the same San Carlos, Junipero and Monterey High path with Chris. Nothing but positive memories of a great guy. I occasionally run across my elementary school class pictures of the 25 or so of us and especially smile every time seeing Chris. With about half the class being boys, we were all definitely a band of brothers! So sorry to hear this and that we never stayed in touch. Condolences to his family.

Tasha Iwamizu

April 4, 2021

My dad was always my hero. He loved the outdoors and being outside made him soo happy. I remember our camping trips to Big Sur and him teaching me how to catch crawdads in the river. He also loved sports, baseball was his favorite I remember him spending hours with me playing catch and making sure I didn’t throw “like a girl”. There will always be a whole in my heart that misses him everyday. I love you so much Dad!
Love Tasha

Bruce

March 28, 2021

Chris Smith was a boyscout Troop 97. He was in the Shark Patrol with me when I was 12, I think Chris was 14. Scout Master Randy Orella took us hiking up to Pat Springs (aka Big Pines) We took the long way home via Rattlesnake Canyon to Dutch Creek to Los Padres Dam. It got dark we had to hop rocks with our flashlights. The water of the dam backed up and got deep. I couldnt swim, I was frightened. We tied a long rope around our wastes in the dark we had to stop and rest. We went back up stream, found a dirt road that took us out of the forest eventualy up to Los Padres dam. There were 10 or us. We were the Shark Patrol. The other 33 scouts were airlifted to Fort Ord by 3 army helicopters. 1968? It was in The Monterey Herald.......

Judy Parsons Gaughf

March 24, 2021

I met Chris at Junipero as a freshman and we graduated from MHS in 1972. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a trick up his sleeve. My thoughts are with his whole family.

Joe Vallaire

March 23, 2021

Chris and I were friends through the San Carlos and Monterey High years. Lost touch after the college years but ironically last week, I tried to search for him and a few other San Carlos school mates on Facebook. I remember Chris as being fun, and an always happy person. So sorry to hear this news. My condolences to his wife and family. RIP Chris.

Sandra Smith

March 23, 2021

Chris was a wonderful husband and father. He will be missed by family and friends. All my love Chris. I miss you so much. Love Sandy

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