Garner Smith

Garner Ewing Smith May 27, 1929 – October 20, 2018 Garner Ewing Smith passed away October 20th 2018 at the age of 89 in Sun City Arizona. He died of Alzheimer’s. Garner was born in Salinas California to Garner Ewing Smith Sr. and Margaret Anne Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents and his younger sister Arlene Mugford. Garner met the love of his life, Barbara June Roell, at Highland Park Elementary School in Seattle. They both graduated from West Seattle High School in 1948 and married August 19th 1950. They raised their three boys in West Seattle; Scott Bradley (of Springfield OR), Garner Tracy (of Chandler AZ) and Kristopher Kent (of Sun City AZ) Garner tried a few different jobs while young but was drawn to drafting and the Boeing Airplane Company. He retired from Boeing as an Engineering Operations Manager at age 59 after 35 years. His interests included coaching football, skiing, flying, cars and dogs. He was one of the founders of the White Center Red Shield Football program and coached for 25 years, touching the lives of thousands of kids. All three sons played for the program and Barbara washed many a dirty uniform over the years. He loved music by Roy Orbison, John Wayne and any Word War II movie. His favorite airplane was the Corsair. His dogs included: Sandy and McDougal as a boy: Katie, Woo, Charley and Barnie as an adult. Barbara and Garner loved traveling to exotic beaches such as Hawaii, Tahiti and the Caribbean. Their sons were the center of their lives and they attended hundreds of games, concerts, dances, parent nights etc. Garner also loved his grandchildren; Jordan, Austin, Grant, Tracy and Patti. He was also blessed with several great grandchildren; Andrew, Barrett, Madi, Forrest, Keelee and Hunter. His service will be held November 1 at 1pm at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center. A reception will follow at Fairway Recreation Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of the Valley. A special thank you to Ray and Arnell at Fletcher Heights Assisted Living.