Life Story for Donnell Smith
Donnell Jefferson Smith was born March 31, 1923 in Altadena, California and passed away April 1, 2019 in The Dalles, Oregon. He was the son of Donnell Jefferson Smith, Sr. and Anna Ruth Ames Smith.
He spent his grade school years in Portland and graduated from Dufur High School. He attended Oregon State College before being drafted into the Army Air Corps. He returned to Oregon State where he met Mary Viola Rattray whom he married March 23, 1947 in Condon, Oregon.
Don worked many jobs; managing a ranch in California, several gas stations, a paint store and in real estate. His greater contributions were his community service. He served on the Rural Health Board and the La Clinica Board. He was in leadership in Kiwanis, Toastmasters, PTA, Little League, Gateway Presbyterian Church and the Fellowship of Churches. He ran for both State Senator and Representative. He was on the City Council and served one term as Mayor of the City of The Dalles. He also served on the League of Oregon Cities. He greatly enjoyed decades of Wednesdays and Saturdays playing golf.
Don and Vi enjoyed traveling to the coast, Vancouver Island and visiting friends and family in California.
Don is survived by this four children, Victoria Stave (Tom), Donnell Smith, 3rd (June), Claudia McClure (Doug) and Laurie Alford (Jeff), 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, his sister Betty Zachor as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
His energy, enthusiasm and compassion for his family and his community will be greatly missed.
Memorial contributions may be made to La Clinca (One Community Health) care of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058.
A service will be planned for June.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
He spent his grade school years in Portland and graduated from Dufur High School. He attended Oregon State College before being drafted into the Army Air Corps. He returned to Oregon State where he met Mary Viola Rattray whom he married March 23, 1947 in Condon, Oregon.
Don worked many jobs; managing a ranch in California, several gas stations, a paint store and in real estate. His greater contributions were his community service. He served on the Rural Health Board and the La Clinica Board. He was in leadership in Kiwanis, Toastmasters, PTA, Little League, Gateway Presbyterian Church and the Fellowship of Churches. He ran for both State Senator and Representative. He was on the City Council and served one term as Mayor of the City of The Dalles. He also served on the League of Oregon Cities. He greatly enjoyed decades of Wednesdays and Saturdays playing golf.
Don and Vi enjoyed traveling to the coast, Vancouver Island and visiting friends and family in California.
Don is survived by this four children, Victoria Stave (Tom), Donnell Smith, 3rd (June), Claudia McClure (Doug) and Laurie Alford (Jeff), 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, his sister Betty Zachor as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
His energy, enthusiasm and compassion for his family and his community will be greatly missed.
Memorial contributions may be made to La Clinca (One Community Health) care of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058.
A service will be planned for June.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.