Floyd J. (Smitty) Smith, 81, Ephrata, Wash., passed away Friday, July 13, 2012. He was born Dec. 11, 1930, to Don and Viola (Remmert) Smith in Hoisington, Kans.
     He graduated from Napa High School in California where he played baseball for several years.
     He served in the Marines from January 1951 to January 1954. When he was honorably discharged, he came home with his buddy, Gene Mitchall, to Omak where he met and married Betty Rae Wilson on Jan. 12, 1955.
     He worked several jobs in the area including Biles-Coleman Lumber Co., the Omak Country Store, and fighting fires. He then moved with his family to Ephrata in 1962 where he was employed at the Ephrata Country Store and Western Auto Supply. Severe back problems and subsequent surgeries was the cause of early retirement.
     He loved to watch baseball and football and religiously watched the Mariners and Seahawks, win or lose. He also enjoyed the casinos once in a while, metal detecting, playing pinochle, puttering in his yard, and of course, his cat, Jackie, who was his constant companion and always pestering him for treats.
     Smitty is survived by his two daughters, Jodi L. Smith of East Wenatchee, Wash. and Dani Rae (Mike) Brennan of Issaquah, Wash.; a special family friend, (considered as another daughter), Sheri (Bogenrief) Bernsen; grandchildren, Shawna, Morgan, Andy, Jenny, Sarah (Brian) Koler, Bethany and Matthew (Shannon); eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Marsh and Thelma (Jack) Mattice; brothers, Russell Smith and Don (Arlette) Smith, all of Napa, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Ethelee (Caroll) Haynes of Omak and Cheryl (Inocencio) Vargas of Brewster; step-mother-in-law, Carolyn Wilson of Lacey; numerous nieces and nephews; and many special friends including the bunch at the Legion, who he considered his “special” family.
     Smitty (who was affectionately known as “Papa” by his grandchildren) had always been a quiet, gentle and kind man and will be truly missed by those who knew him and loved him.
     Smitty was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty in 2010; his son, John F. Smith in 2009; John’s wife, Cindi, in 2010; and his father and mother-in-law, Ralph W. Wilson in 2008, and Betty M. Wilson in 1994.
     Cremation services have been in the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata.
     Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, at the American Legion Post #28, 276 8th Ave. NW, Ephrata, Wash. 98823.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Legion Post #28 at the above address.