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George Smith Obituary
April 25, 1936
November 7, 2013
George William Smith, longtime Washoe County School District educator and coach, passed from this life November 7, 2013. George was born April 25, 1936 in Ely, NV to James Ross Smith and Ada (Fawcett) Smith. The family moved to Reno in 1950. He graduated from Reno High School in 1954 and the University of Nevada in 1958. He completed and received a Masters of Education Degree in 1966.
George is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Janis (Abernathy), and his sister, Isabelle Pitts, who still resides in the Reno area. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred Lage, and four older brothers, Richard, Boyd, Don and Gerald.
George began his teaching and coaching career at Central Junior High in 1958. He continued to teach and coach throughout Washoe County for 36 years. He spent 24 years at Hug High School. George's influence in athletics as a coach of football, basketball and track at Hug and Reno High Schools was profound. In four years at Hug and five at Reno, George's track teams won 8 zone meets, 3 state championships, and three 2nd place state finishes. He was instrumental in establishing cross-country as a recognized conference sport in Nevada.
In 1999 Reno High School inducted George into its Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2003 this honor was repeated by the Northern Nevada Track and Cross Country Coaches Association, as well as the Hug High School Hall of Fame.
In lieu of flowers, please remember George with a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, 2680 East 9th St., Reno, NV 89512, or to the "Parkinson Foundation.org."
There will be a viewing on Thursday, November 14, 2013 from 5 to 7 pm, at the Walton Funeral Home, 875 West Second St., Reno. George's funeral service is scheduled for Friday, November 15th at 1:00 pm, also at Walton's, followed by burial at Mountain View Cemetery. Please visit www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com and leave a message in George's Book of Memories.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Smith
Sponsored by anonymous.
Roger Young
July 31, 2023
Rest In Peace, Coach Smith
I remember how Coach Smith sent me to the principals office to be sent home for having Long Hair ...LOL those were the days Class of 1973
Julie(Tom) Reynolds-class of '94
December 4, 2013
Mr. Smith was my drivers Ed instructor and a fellow classmate of my uncle who played basketball with him at Reno High. He was a great educator and will be dearly missed. My sympathies to his family.
Joy (Vann) Betton
November 14, 2013
I had Mr. Smith as one of my driver's ed. teachers at Hug High in the late 70's. I am very sorry to hear of his passing and my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Bryan Browning
November 13, 2013
As a timid high school Freshman, you took me under your wing and gave me the confidence I needed to not just get through school; but to get through life! I have thought of you through the years, and have imparted much of your wisdom to my boys. Thank you Coach Smith!
Darrell and Jane Pastrell
November 13, 2013
George, you did it all: football, basketball, baseball, and track. You excelled. But most of all was your profound influence on all the students you were associated with. You were the best. Darrell Pastrell - Friend and Teammate, RHS 1954
John Jackson
November 12, 2013
I reached for excellence with his guidance and found it.
Kim Williams-Artis
November 9, 2013
I had the privilege of being coached on the cross country and track teams in 1979-83 at Hug and have the fondest memories of Coach Smith. He well be missed dearly.
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