Thomas Tom Paul Smiley's Obituary
Thomas Tom Paul Smiley passed away September 17, 2006 after strong, courageous two year battle with esophageal cancer. Tom is survived by his wife, Charlene Chuckie Davis Smiley, one son and daughter-in-law, Russ and Debi Smiley, of Rainier, Or, two daughters and son-in-laws, Dawn & Greg Pellham and Paige and Dowell Davidson, three grandchildren, Monique Smiley and Blake Pellham and Akaylia Davidson, all of St. Helens, Or, two stepgranddaughters, Angi Keith, Florida & Carie Mahoney, Longview, and one sister, Patricia Hammond, of Cecelia, Ky.
Tom was preceeded in death by his father, Frank M. Smiley, and his mother, Agnes P. Rauch Smiley.
Tom was born August 25, 1943, in The Dalles, Oregon. He graduated from Camas High School in 1961. Tom and Chuckie were married September 12, 1964 in Washougal, WA., and recently celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary with a fishing trip in Canada.
Tom lived for his family. He loved camping with them; vacationing with them; attending his children's events; and, perhaps best of all he just loved being with them! Tom will be missed by his extended family, especially his 14 nieces and nephews. Tom always was interested in what they were doing.
Tom was a man who demonstrated a great work ethic. His first paid job was working for Karnath's Market in Camas, WA. After graduating from high school he began work at the Crown Zellerbach Paper Company in Camas. He enrolled and graduated from Paper School while at the Camas mill. In 1965, Tom and Chuckie moved to a home in Knappa, OR. and Tom began working on the startup crew for the CZ Wauna Paper Mill. In 1978 the family moved to their present home in Clatskanie, OR. Tom continued his work in the Wauna Paper Mill, working his way from a paper machine winderman into management. Late in Tom's career he returned to the Camas mill for a three year stint before returning to Wauna to end out his paper making career. He retired in 2004 due to illness. Tom took great pride in his "job" and was proud of his papermaking accomplishments.
Besides his family and work, Tom loved hunting with his buddies and fishing with his grandchildren, camping, boating, travel and watching movies.
He was a member of the Washougal United Methodist Church. Tom felt the prayers and support of his church family enabled him to remain strong through various medical teatments and procedures. Tom often said, "you live for hope and you live with faith." Tom served 6 years in the Washington State National Guard. He had also earned a brown belt in Tae Kwan Do. Tom lived a life of quiet dignity. He will be missed by his family, his friends, and his co-workers.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom's name to Hospice, American Cancer Society or to the Washougal United Methodist Church Foundation. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Sat. Sept 30, 2006 at the Washougal United Methodist Church, 4020 "M" Street, in Washougal, WA.
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