Donald Hosmer Smith, age 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Medford, Oregon after an extended illness. Known to friends as Don, to his professional colleagues as "Smitty" and to his family as "Poppa", he will be deeply missed. Always ready to help others, Don left a cherished legacy of service, creativity, inspiration, and friendship to those who knew him.

Don was born on May 24, 1930, in San Francisco, California, as the only child of Hosmer and Martha Smith. He later graduated from Grant high school in Portland, Oregon in 1948. In 1948, he enrolled at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, Oregon, where he was a lifetime member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. It was at OSU that he met his future wife, Marcia Jean Berry from nearby Albany, Oregon. Proud to serve his country, Don chose to interrupt his college education and enlist in the Navy in 1951. Don and Marcia were married in San Francisco in 1952 and moved shortly thereafter to Honolulu, Hawaii where Don completed most of his Navy service as an Aviation Electronics Technician. The couple also welcomed their first child, Stephen, there in 1953.

After Don's honorable discharge from the Navy in 1954, the family returned to OSU so Don could complete his undergraduate studies. The Smith clan grew to a family of five with the arrival of twin daughters, Susan, and Sandra, in 1955. Don received his B.S. degree in Forest Management from OSU in 1956 and remained a loyal and avid Beaver fan throughout his life. (Go Beavers!).

In 1956, Don began a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Forest Service in a variety of professional and leadership roles within the organization. This included assignments in Oregon, Virginia, Utah, California, and Washington. Don served as the Supervisor for the Rogue River N.F. in Medford from 1975 to 1980. Don's strong leadership and exceptional organizational management skills served him well, culminating in his retirement from the Forest Service in 1987 as the Supervisor of the Wenatchee N.F. in Wenatchee, WA. after 31 years of dedicated government service

Following retirement, Don and Marcia settled back in Medford, where they fostered a love of travel and family visits, while actively volunteering in their community. Don was an avid gardener, artist, woodcarver, golfer, fisherman, and bridge player and had a deep love of the outdoors. Don was known for his keen mind, a passion for lifelong learning, and engaging conversation.

Family was at the heart of Don's life. He was a devoted father to 3 children, an inspiring grandfather to 11 grandchildren and nurturing great-grandfather to 30 great grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Marcia in 2022. He is survived by his three children: Stephen (Karen) Smith, Camas, WA, Susan (Bob) Lamvik, Rancho Murieta, CA, and Sandra (Art) Nobles, Broomfield, CO, and his only sister in-law, Jacquelyn (Max) Sears from St. George, UT. A private family internment will be held later this year at Eagle Point National Cemetery with military honors.

The Lamvik, Nobles and Smith families each want to thank The Springs at Veranda Park, especially the second-floor care staff, along with the Riverside Hospice staff, for their compassionate and special care for Don during his final months. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved him.