Thomas D. “Tom” Smurthwaite, 77, a former Baker resident, died May 15, 2005, at his home in Portland.
His funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Dick Hindman of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will conduct. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the funeral home.
Tom was born to Jesse A. Smurthwaite and Zina Stark Smurthwaite on Nov. 10, 1927, at Baker City. He was a 1945 Baker High School graduate. While in high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy under a special VR-5 Program and was a World War II veteran. Tom served on a mine sweeper “Lucky No. 13” in the Pacific Theater.
In 1948, he married LaVelle Emele. They had two daughters, Lynn and Jan. They later divorced. In 1959, he married Sue Hoff. They had a daughter, Mary “Sam,” and a son, William.
Tom had been employed with the trucking industry in sales and accounting for many years in Portland. Tom dearly loved his children and grandchildren. They were the pride of his life.
Tom was a member of the LDS Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, past commander of the American Legion and a life member of the Baker Elks Lodge. Tom was a very talented man and developed skills in many different fields.
He was a very good musician, playing alto sax, and while in high school started his own big band. His band was the last band to play at the “Covered Wagon” before it burned down. He loved to attend the Jazz Festivals at Sun Valley where his favorite big band was from the Netherlands.
His favorite joys were being with family, camping in the Eagle mountains, fishing, hunting and traveling to Reno for Keno Tournaments where he had friends from coast to coast.
Survivors include his wife, Sue of Portland; his daughters, Lynn of Seattle, Wash., Jan of Pendleton, and Sam and her husband, Scott, of Portland; son, William Smurthwaite of Portland; stepdaughter, Karin of Portland; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his sister, Angela Edvalson of Baker City; brothers, Doug of Baker City and Paul of King City; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Zina Smurthwaite; and brothers, Don, Gordon and Bob.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Providence Portland Cancer Research or to the charity of one’s choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 23, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor