Eugene Smith

Eugene Gerald “Jerry” Smith passed away at the age of 82 on May 17, 2024 surrounded by loved ones at Ocean Beach Hospital in Ilwaco, Washington.

Jerry was born on February 17, 1942 in Vancouver, Washington to Lester and Dorothy (Fox) Smith. In 1960, Jerry graduated from Hudson Bay High School. Throughout his life, he was an entrepreneur owning a variety of businesses in Washington. These businesses included a truck lot, building & remodeling several homes, the Igloo Drive-In, a laundry mat, the Kopa Wecoma Restaurant in Ocean Park & Long Beach, and the Surfside Market. Jerry liked his independent healthy lifestyle. He loved the outdoors, exercising, gardening, music, and politics. He grew various vegetables and was famous for “Jerry’s Berries” in Surfside.

Jerry was proud of his personal achievements. He was in the senior “Hall of Fame” for Best Physique at Hudson Bay High School. At the age of 15, he walked solo from his home in Vancouver, Washington to his grandmother’s home in Roseburg, Oregon (around 190 miles). He also set the World’s Record for longest marathon piggy-back ride with 5 of his friends, totaling 27½ miles in 7 hours.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lester 99½ and Dorothy 101½ years young. Jerry is survived by his sister Sheryl Richards, wife Janet, his children Marcene (Rod) Miller, Jeri (Rex) Wilson, Ila Mae, Wade & Dottie, 5 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. His great grandchildren each earned a five-generation landmark. His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.