Obituary of Leslie V. Smith

The angels sang his song and called Leslie V. “Skip” Smith home on June 20, 2007. Skip was born in Tacoma, Washington on October 27, 1942. He resided in Olympia and Lacey for the past 34 years. He left Olympia High School his sophomore year and received his GED in the Army in 1960. He completed Army Specialist School for Tract Vehicle Mechanic/Auto Mechanic at Fort Ord, California in 1960. He received from Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington, after two years of schooling, a diploma for Applied Electronics Technician. He enlisted December 1959 with the Army Infantry in Fort Lewis, Washington. He was stationed for his tour of duty at Fort Richardson, Alaska and was honorable discharged September 1962. He married his first wife, Sharon Dotson, in 1962. He and his second wife, Gerrie Stidham were married June 14, 1975 at a secluded outdoor ceremony up North River, Washington and had just celebrated 32 years of marriage at their home. He worked at Georgia Pacific Corp. in Lacey, Washington for 30 years as a Maintenance Mechanic and Electrician. Skip retired in 1997 due to bad health. He was a vested member of the Teamsters Local 388M. Skip loved old cars and “fast” driving! He also enjoyed water skiing, boating and fishing on the bay and lakes. He and his wife sold their home in 1996 and became full time RVers. Skip loved to travel and he and Gerrie traveled the Continental U.S., Canada and Alaska. He especially enjoyed Niagara Falls, The Erie Canal, Mt. St. Helens, Hood Canal and the Washington Coastal Beaches. At the beach he enjoyed beach combing, kite flying, and driving his remote controlled car. Skip also had a great interest and love in preserving our forests and trees. Skip is survived by his wife, Gerrie (Geraldine) of Lacey; five sons, Shawn F. (Tina) Smith and Ronald J. (Crystal) Smith both of Lacey, Andrew V. Smith and Martin O. Smith both of Texas and Kevin F. Stidham of Auburn; one daughter, Tamara “Tami” M. (Jeff) Thom of Sammamish, whom he proudly gave away in marriage in 1982; seven brothers, Robert A. Smith and Donald “Tim” Noreen of Washington, Linn H. Smith of Oregon and Chuck, Larry, Dan and Jim Gumbert of Wisconsin; four sisters, JoLanna “Jodi” Griggs and Tawnya Amansec of Washington, Judy Strong of Idaho and Linda Stephenson of Georgia; Skip’s mom, Toni Gumbert of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; 12 grandchildren, Spencer, Mystelle, Jeremy L., Jimmy, Josh, Shayla, Christopher, Joey, Shane, Jeremy R., Danielle and Lauren. Preceding him in death were his mother, Wanda L. Wilson and father, Leslie Foster Gumbert and dad, James A. “Smitty” Smith. A memorial service for Skip will be held on Saturday, June 30th at 1:00 p.m. at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2200 East End St. NW, Olympia, 98502. Donations may be made to: Huntington’s Disease Society of America, NW Chapter, P.O. Box 33345, Seattle, 98133.