Kenneth Dale Smith

July 27, 1950 to September 8, 2013

Kenneth Dale Smith left the loving arms of his family, friends and the community that he served and loved on September 8, 2013.

Born July 27, 1950 in Scotia, California to John and Janice Smith, Ken was raised in the Pepperwood community on the beautiful Avenue of the Giants where he spent his youth hunting and fishing. After graduation in 1968 from Fortuna High School, Ken proudly served his Country in Vietnam from 1969-1971. He was assigned as an Army watercraft operator doing patrol and rescue along the Mekong Delta. There he found his lifelong passion for diving, search and rescue; even learning to water ski behind a gunboat, which carried him throughout his life. After his Honorable Discharge in 1971, Ken settled in Redding, working for Cal Trans as a heavy equipment mechanic, working his way up to Supervisor.

In 1973, he met his wife of 39 years, Cheryl, at Whiskeytown Lake waterskiing with friends. They married September 7, 1974. In 1982, Ken and Cheryl settled in the quiet little town of Shasta and continued their outdoor lifestyle. The year 1986 brought a big change to their lives with the purchase of Oak Bottom Marina on Whiskeytown Lake and then expanded to Ruth Lake Marina in Trinity County. Ken fulfilled his lifelong dream for adventure by becoming an airplane pilot and joining the Mt. Shasta Ski Patrol. He continued his passion for hunting, fishing and diving which brought him to rescue diving for IHBA and then Lucas Oil, where he was known by the boat racing community as "MacGyver." After selling his marina businesses, Ken occupied his time doing boat salvage and diving recovery, never hesitating to help the community for which he laid his life down. One of his best friends said, "Ken helped more people than anyone could ever imagine…from drag boat racers, to waxing the kids' skis before a race, to someone with a flat tire in the parking lot…he was always there".

Ken is survived by his loving wife Cheryl, son Hunter Elias Smith of Shasta; sisters Barbara Harrell of Redding, Ellen Carter of Ruston, LA, brother Don Smith of San Jose along with numerous nieces and nephews that he helped and loved so dearly.

He is preceded in death by his son Trevor Eugene Smith and his parents, John and Janice Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shasta County Search and Rescue or the Mt Shasta Ski Patrol.

Services will be held on Saturday September 14th at 2:00 pm at Redding Christian Fellowship, 2157 Victor Avenue, Redding, CA.

Due to the Clover Fire, a military service will be held at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Ono at a date to be announced.