Carl F. "The Traveling Man" Smouse

Carl Fredric Smouse, 74 of Ione and Pendleton, passed on September 12, 2025.

Carl was born on May 5, 1951to Kenneth J. and Francis Smouse. He joined a brother Kenneth L. and sister Cherilyn. They lived on a farm out of Ione, OR. Carl was a special needs child that was very well loved and was raised to be kind and polite. He loved animals, especially dogs. He went to school in Ione through Kindergarten. After that, he was tutored and they did a wonderful job teaching him to thrive in many areas. He loved to read and grew to enjoy poetry and the political aspects of the world. He enjoyed studying past Presidents and First Ladies of the US, as well as the Morrow County Chronicles. He had a remarkable memory and could tell you all the family lineage of longtime Morrow County residents.

While he was in group homes over the years, he developed many wonderful friendships. He lived in an apartment in Hermiston that he shared with a friend for many years. He worked for Dominos Pizza, as well as making and selling greeting cards to locals. At his recent home in Pendleton, he did some work at DHS and had a special girlfriend. Together they would go out for sodas or pie and then spend time visiting on the phone and writing letters to each other. His care team would always take the groups to the Tamastslikt Museum.

Carl enjoyed sharing his love of music with those around him. Carl had another special friend named David. He was blind, unable to stand and could not speak. Whenever Carl would go visit him, Carl would hold David's hand and sing hymns to him, which always brought the biggest smiles to David's Face. Another special person Carl would sing to was his mother whenever she was ill. He would call her every morning and sing her a song. One of the favorites was "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" (an ode to the fact she had been healing from a recent car accident). Carl loved to start most days with a song! Two of his favorites were "Good Morning to You" and "Jesus Loves Me" in his big booming voice.

Carl was a volunteer for the ARC board for more than 10 years. He also participated in the Special Olympics for many years. Carl was very thoughtful and would always pick a tag from a tree on Christmas and buy a gift for someone at need. He volunteered at the Salvation Army serving the homeless over the holidays. He also participated in the "Meals on Wheels" program by serving folks in his local communities.

Carl loved to play practical jokes on his home friends and workers, often by sneaking up on them and making them yell, then he would silently chuckle in his 6'2" frame. Carl loved to go on drives and would point out the old and dilapidated houses and say 'that was their new home!'. He loved watching all the parades and going to the Pendleton Round-Up where he would cheer (usually for the animals).

One of Carl's greatest joys was traveling and he made many memorable trips. Some of his favorites included a cruise to Hawaii where he got to dress up, have dinner with the Captain, and then dance with all the new friends he made. He also went to Washington DC for the 4th of July and got to go sightseeing. He went to Graceland to see the Elvis Presley displays; he was particularly fascinated with the gold toilet and the music studio. He traveled up and down the Oregon Coast and into the redwoods of California. On one such trip, he got to pet a baby tiger at the Big Cat Rescue as well as enjoying dinner at a fancy restaurant for his 71st birthday. Other trips included Florida, Disneyland, Las Vegas, and Silverwood Theme Park. He made so many visits and trips that he nicknamed himself, "The Traveling Man"!

He was very artistic and drawing cartoon caricatures, people, and animals were some of his most talented aspects. He would often draw pictures of each of the staff members and hang them on the walls at the group homes. He had a way of making pictures come alive with detail on his Etch-a-Sketch.

Carl was a people person who loved greeting people with a handshake and a smile. Everyone who knew him said he was always one of the sweetest people to be around. Despite going through many health issues, he always kept a positive and happy attitude. He loved reading, going to church, singing, playing piano, listening to music, shopping, bowling, playing card games and watching his favorite shows.

One of his favorite people to be with was his brother Ken, who was his constant companion in life. Whether going out for pie or Bi-Mart shopping trips (and DQ ice cream trips) on Fridays; he loved being able to spend time together. One time he even refused to shave or get his haircut because his brother had long hair and a beard. It took a lot of convincing and he eventually got it cut, but their love for each other was inspiring to see.

Carl is preceded in death by: his father Kenneth J.; his mother Francis; sister Cherilyn; Maternal grandparents Fredric and Ella Burgoyne; and his Paternal grandparents, Henry V. and Clara Smouse.

He is survived by his brother Kenneth L. Smouse of Ione, Oregon.

A funeral service will take place on Tuesday, September 23 at 11:00 AM at the Ione Community Church in Ione, OR. There will be a graveside service at the Ione Cemetery and then immediately following, a reception back at the church. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the ARC of Umatilla County or the Special Olympics Oregon in Beaverton.

Sweeney Payton Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please leave your condolence messages for the family at sweeneypaytonmortuary.com.