Richard "Dick" Lynn Smith

Richard "Dick" Lynn Smith, 77, a resident of the Forest Grove community passed away Wednesday morning, November 5, 2014 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at the First Christian Church of Forest Grove; 2231 19th Ave in Forest Grove.

A committal service will follow held at Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Forest Grove

Family and friends are invited to attend a reception following held at the Church fellowship room.

Dick was born on January 7, 1937 in Centralia, KS. He was one of five children born to Hyland and Fern (Salisbury) Smith. He moved with his family at the age of twelve to Salem Or and then as a freshman in High School he moved to Forest Grove, here he attended Forest Grove High School and graduated with the Class of 1958. Dick went onto attend Pacific University and received a Bachelor's degree in education.

He met his future wife, Judith "Judy" Wahlbom, while he was teaching at Knappa Elementary, Judy was the high school secretary and they were introduced by the principle. They soon began dating and were married on August 13, 1960 in Astoria. They made their home in Astoria until 1962 when they moved to forest Grove following Dick's teaching career. In 1965 they settled in Yamhill and lived there until his retirement in 1992 when they moved back to Forest Grove.

Dick was an high school teacher and taught at Knappa, Forest Grove and Yamhill-Carlton Union High School . While in Yamhill-Carlton he had taught Psychology, Career Ed, History, Social Science and retired as a student counselor. Dick coached men's and women's basketball and was also the athletic director at Yamhill High School.

He loved Appaloosa horses and this passion lead him to owning, breeding and showing this breed for several years. He was an avid crossword puzzle solver, had an eye for landscape design and enjoyed gardening. Dick was his granddaughter's , Kaylin and Hannah #1 fan and had spent hours watching their softball, volleyball and basketball games. His favorite color is red, he collected cardinals and bald eagles figurines. Never one to slow down Dick made his own furniture, like to golf, bowl and traveled with his wife.

His is preceded in death by his son Kevin, his parents and a sister; Carole Henderson.

He is survived by his loving wife; Judy, a daughter and son-in-law; Vicky and Bill Vandomelen of Banks, three siblings and their spouses; Ron and Susie Smith of Bend, Bob and Karen Smith of Banks, Virginia and Joe Swanno of Hillsboro, a brother-in-law; Dave Henderson of Forest Grove, two granddaughters; Kaylin and Hannah both of Banks and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggest donations in Dick's name to Helping Hands in care of the First Christian Church; 2231 19th Ave in Forest Grove and/or to the American Cancer Society