Jeffrey Dean Smith's Obituary
Jeffrey Dean Smith, 60, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday April 18, at his home in St. Helens, Oregon. He was born on December 13, 1958, in Portland, to Don and Betty Smith. He lived in Portland until 1993, when he moved with his family to St. Helens.
Jeff attended Portsmouth grade school and Roosevelt High School, where he graduated in 1977. As a young boy, he spent lots of time at the Columbia Boys Club, where he found his love for sports. He competed and excelled in football, basketball, and baseball at Roosevelt. After high school he continued to play fast pitch softball, mushball, and golf.
It was in high school when Jeff met the love of his life, Tracie—who didn’t even have to change her last name when they married on May 30, 1982, in Las Vegas. Their first son, Jason, was born in 1983, and Ryan followed in 1986. Jeff worked for Blitz Weinhard Brewery for 21 years, until it closed in 1999. After that job ended, he attended PCC (and was on the Dean’s List!) and got his degree in Building Construction. He worked for Columbia County in Facilities Maintenance until his retirement in 2017. Jeff was a tireless volunteer for St. Helens Little League and Columbia Pacific Food Bank—and spent lots of hours completing Tracie’s “Honey Do” Projects! Jeff loved to hunt and fish, and play legos with his grandson. Since his retirement, they enjoyed many hours camping in their trailer, and loved golfing with their friends at their place in Mesa, Arizona, where he could watch the Mariners in spring training.
Jeff is survived by his wife of nearly 37 years, Tracie; sons Jason (Jessie) and Ryan (Leniece); beloved grandson Jeffrey; mother Betty; brothers Brian, Rod, and Dana; sisters Lori Weller and Cindy Gorman; and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Don. Jeff was one of those guys who was loved by everyone, and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 30, at 2:00 p.m., at Warren Community Fellowship, 56523 Columbia River Highway, Warren, Oregon 97053. Reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Jeff Dean Smith Memorial Fund at Inroads Credit Union, PO Box 537, St. Helens, OR 97051.
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