John Douglas "Doug" Smidt

John Douglas "Doug" SMIDT Born May 23, 1936 in Beatrice, Nebraska to M. Vivian (Biddy) and John D. Smidt. He passed away quietly and peacefully on February 22, at his home on Camano Island, surrounded by his loving wife and many family members. In his early years, he lived in Wapato, Eatonville, Morton, and Enumclaw. The family then settled in Parkland, Washington, where he graduated from Clover Park High School in 1954. While there he lettered in football and track, and set the league record for the 220 yard dash, which stood for many years. He was the first student in the United States to receive his pilot's license through a high school flight program. His family remembers Doug soloing in the morning and getting his driver's license in the afternoon - on his 16th birthday.Doug joined the Marine Corps Reserves after high school, and attended the University of Washington where he affillated with Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He finished his college at Oregon State University, then joined the Naval Cadet Flight program, getting his wings in the spring of 1958. Doug, through both active and reserve flying in the Marines, retired as a major, after 20 years. Throughout his military and commercial career, he flew more than 31 types of aircraft, ranging from helicopters to fighter jets to Boeing 767's. Doug spent more than 30 years as a commerical pilot, beginning with American Airlines, flying for Alaska Airlines to the North Slope, Standard Airways, where he qualified for the left (captain's) seat at the age of 30, and then, for more than 28 years flew for PSA/US Air, retiring to Camano Island approximately 10 years ago. Doug is survived by his wife Nancy, her son Chad, daughter Chelsea, his three sons, two daughters, and six grandsons. Booth and Fran Smidt and son Austin, of Santa Marguerita, California, Rick Smidt and sons Zachary and Dillon of Denver, Colorado and Bradley and Gabriella Smidt and sons Bradley, and Andrew, of Oceanside, California. Daughters are Julie (Mark) Borecky of Escondido, California and Laurie (Joe) DeSchryver and son Kyle of Miami, Florida. He is also survived by three siblings, Diane (Smidt) and Frank Backschies, Rick and Barbara Smidt, and Sue (Smidt) and Jim Clifford. In addition, there are nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Backschies) and John Wheeler, John and Leslie Backschies, Chris and Bridget Backschies, Jeffrey Backschies, Mike Smidt, Amy (Smidt) and Steve Mora, Doug and Pauline Smidt, Mike Clifford and fiancee' Tami Chen, Jason Clifford, three grandnieces and six grandnephews. Doug lived a full, exciting life filled with adventure. He told great stories that made you feel like you lived the adventures with him. It could be said that in his life, Doug packed in enough living for that of 10 men...He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed, not only by his extended family, but by old and new friends who have lovingly sustained him.Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, February 28 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 27201 99th Avenue N.W. in Stanwood, Washington (360 629-3767). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials go to Hospice of Skagit Valley. Please share your thoughts and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefuneralhm.com Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home and Crematory, Mount Vernon.