Obituary of Kenneth Lee Smith
Kenneth Lee Smith
February 1, 1948 – January 3, 2022
To try to encompass Ken in a list of a names, dates, and doings is to not know Ken at all. So, please forgive the departure from custom, but this was the Ken way...
Kenneth Lee Smith was born on February 1st, 1948 in Portland, Oregon to George Smith and Elzada Field. He passed away on January 3rd, 2022 just outside of Portland, Oregon in Vancouver, WA from complications due to cancer.
While Ken’s journey began and ended in the same general area, he saw so much of the world in between. During Ken’s time in the United States Marine Corps in the late 60s and early 70s, he was able to travel overseas to Europe and Asia. Ken was also a long-haul truck driver for part of his life, travelling extensively throughout the United States, even taking his sons with him on occasion.
Ken always had a sense of adventure and love for the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman for much of his life and could tell some legendary sturgeon fishing stories. While Ken spent most of his life in the Portland area, he also settled down in St Joe, AR for a while until relocating back to Oregon in the little town of Tiller. He lived in Tiller for over a decade, nestled at the base of the Umpqua National Forest right on the Umpqua River. Hardly a phone call with friends or family went by that Ken didn’t mention the latest bear sighting or visits from his deer friends (he had a nickname for each one) to his yard.
Ken was known for being an interesting character who built an eclectic network of friends throughout his various occupations that included hauling concrete, driving cab, running a car lot, long haul trucking, recreational trailer delivery, and as an old school “Wheeler Dealer” (he even had a personalized belt with the moniker!).
While Ken may have moved on to his next adventure, his infectious personality, off-the-wall sense of humor, and compassion will live on through all those whose lives and hearts he touched over the years.
Ken is survived by his sons Kevin, Shawn, and Jason; his grandsons by Kevin and former spouse Bridget - Kolman and Jackson; his grandcats via Shawn and partner Mike – Sebastian and Farrah; his grandsons by Jason and wife Melissa - Tyler, Hunter, and Dylan; his great grandson by Kolman and former partner Angel – Karson; his best buddy Seamus and partner Vlanda; several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews; his many longtime friends and associates; his former spouse/mother of his sons Cathleen.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents as well as his siblings.
To quote one of Ken’s favorite songs (The Gambler by Kenny Rogers) and the way he lived his life:
You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done
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