Gene Smith Jr. died at his family home in Battle Ground, Washington on Nov. 16, 2019. He was born March 1, 1931. He moved to Grays Harbor when he was 18 and worked for the Forestry Department fighting fires. Then went to work for ITT Rainier as a heavy equipment operator building logging roads. He worked for Quiqq Brothers construction building highways (including parts of the North Cascade highway).

He was known for his love of the outdoors especially fishing the Humptulips River and the Chehalis River.

Gene moved from Humptulips, Washington, to Battle Ground, Washington, in 2003, to be near family.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Rosalie Smith (Ellingson); his daughters, Terri Smith, Judy Revis and Rane Revis; three grandchildren, Coralie Ostberg, Jill Tanner and Brandon Revis; and four great-grandchildren.