1923-2004

He was born to Ernest and Christina Smith in Fresno on June 27,1923. He died August 29th, 2004. Dad graduated from Fresno Technical High School in 1941. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen Gash, soon after enlisting in the Navy. He served on board the aircraft carrier Sangamon in the Pacific, narrowly being missed by a torpedo on his 21st birthday. Dad worked as a journeymen sign painter (as his father had) for most of his adult life, saying that if he didn't need the money, it was something he would do for fun. He was a Freemason, serving as Master of his Lodge. Except for WWII, he lived in Fresno all his life.

I'll sure miss him.