Obituary of Richard Roland Smith

Thur. Oct. 22, 2009 4-8 pm Funeral Alternatives 455 North St SE Tumwater, WA 98501 Richard R. Smith Richard Roland Smith was born November 29, 1925 in Gate, Washington, the second of five sons to Floyd and Agnes (Lincoln) Smith. He passed away October 16, 2009, at Roo-Lan Healthcare Center with family by his side. Richard’s father was killed in a logging accident before his youngest brother was born. With a widowed mother during the Great Depression, all the boys worked to support the household. Richard ran trap lines, fished, and did many other jobs to supplement the family income. After he graduated from high school, Richard served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II in Europe. He worked for Texaco for over 25 years starting in Rochester and then Olympia, where he had a station on 4th Street near Martin Way. He finished his career as a mechanic at the Washington State Patrol and retired in 1992. He married Carolyn Bradley in 1953 and later divorced. They have two children Cheri (Tipton) and Scott. He married Norma Jean Von Bargen on September 5, 1985. Many knew and loved “Dick” as an avid outdoorsman and one of the finest fishermen ever to pick up a rod. He had a “sixth sense” about fish, and a wealth of fishing knowledge that he shared freely with others—especially his grandkids. He also loved digging razor clams and picking wild blackberries. Richard had a hearty laugh, and he used it often; he relished a good practical joke, whether he was the recipient or the perpetrator. He was a gentle man and especially fond of children and animals, who returned his affections. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Floyd. He is survived by his wife, Norma, in the family home; brothers Gilbert of Seattle, and Marion (Maxine) and Eugene (Carolyn) of Olympia; daughter Cheri (Keith) Tipton, Olympia; son Scott (Lynn) Smith, Lawrenceville, Georgia; step-sons Michael (Ellen) Corke, Steve (Wanda) Corke, Tim Corke, Scott (Pat) McLain, John (Carrie) McLain; numerous grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters. Memorial services will be held at Funeral Alternatives in Tumwater, Washington, on Friday, October 23rd at 11:30 am. There will be visitation on Thursday, at Funeral Alternatives from 4 – 8 pm. Private burial at Mills and Mills. Please leave memories and condolences online by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.