Hubert Smith

The world lost a great man, Hubert "Smitty" Smith, nearly a year ago. He died on March 26, 2023, succumbing to complications after falling in his home. He lived 91 full years, emerging from hardship to happiness.

Born in 1931, he grew up on a farm in Eastern WA during the Great Depression. Times were hard. He was always hungry, and often cold. This made him resourceful. He worked many small jobs to provide basic needs for his family and himself. Even so, it was meager. He ‘always wanted just one more potato in the pot.’ You can imagine how much he loved food. He was a joy to feed.

He graduated from Olympia High School and was promptly drafted into the military. After serving in the Navy, he applied his technical mind to a 30-year career with IBM. Not content with retirement quite yet, he worked for the State another 10 years.

When he was 30, this shy, hardworking man hit the relationship jackpot when he met Marcella Burdick: a gorgeous and vivacious woman with many suitors. But she only had eyes for Smitty--and he for her. Bonus: she was a great cook.

Marty and Smitty married in 1962, moved to University Place, and raised their family as a loving, high-integrity team. They were determined to create a home without the worry, hunger, and lack that they had both known. They gave their children a wonderful life: love, security, opportunity, and best of all, great role models.

Smitty had wanderlust. Their retirement years involved frequent travel. They went everywhere and visited every country. Too many pins in the world map to list. They had a blast.

When Smitty left us, he was laid to rest at Mills & Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater, WA, with full Navy honors. He is now with Marty, who preceded him in 2011. He is survived by his family: brother Glen Smith; daughter Jacqueline Smith; step-daughter Laura Mason; grandchildren Jon Boro, Diana Boro-Boswell, and Noah Mason; and great-granddaughter Elena Boro-Boswell. We are #TeamSmitty. We'll miss him forever.