Obituary: John Edmund Smith, 78, Hood River

John Edmund Smith was born in San Francisco, CA on September 27, 1946, to parents James and Lillian, and passed away in Hood River, OR on July 21, 2025.

John’s family vacationed in Yosemite National Park throughout his childhood. He worked there during the summer while attending college at San Francisco State University. In 1970, he moved to Yosemite and lived there for five years. During this time he met his wife, Marilyn. They were married at the Wawona Hotel on February 1, 1975. John and Marilyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Skamania Lodge in February, joined by family and friends.

Soon after their marriage, they emigrated to New Zealand. In 1977, they returned to the United States and lived in Yosemite for another year before moving to Hood River, OR. They joined several Yosemite friends in Oregon, and became the Dee Highway Gang. The Gang and their extended families have celebrated Thanksgiving together for the last 46 years.

John worked with the Forest Service in Parkdale, then became a mail carrier with the Postal Service in Hood River. He served as supervisor from 1983 to 1993 before finishing his career as the Postmaster in Odell. He retired in 2012.

John often commented that being a father was the best thing that ever happened to him. He loved coaching Noah and Ike’s soccer teams, and joined the Ski Patrol so he could watch them become expert skiers during their years with the Cooper Spur Race Team. He also cherished his time as a grandfather, and in his final years loved watching Savvy and Sam’s soccer, baseball, and softball games.

Outside of family, John enjoyed reading, writing, playing his ukulele, photography, cats, and golf. In 2004 he won the Indian Creek Club Championship. More important than any trophy, however, was the camaraderie of a round of golf with good friends.

John contracted multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, in 2007, and passed away due to disease complications. He wrote at great length about this experience in a blog, goodbloodbadblood.com. In it, he shared reflections on his life, past and present.

John is survived by his wife Marilyn, two sons Noah and Isaac, daughter-in-law Nikki, grandchildren Savannah and Samuel, brothers Jim, Tom (Karen), Earl (Dianne), and a sister, Mary.

There will be a Celebration of Life for John on Sunday, August 17, from 1-4 pm at the Indian Creek Golf Club. A tribute ceremony will begin at 1:30. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbia Gorge Cat Rescue, PO Box 486, Lyle WA 98635. gorgecat.org