Alford "Al" E. Smith, 74, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, at the University of Washington Medical Center. Al was born June 16, 1944, in Albany, Ore., to Florence (Mueller) and John Smith. He was the second child in his family after his older sister, Anna.
Al graduated from Albany High School in 1962, and soon afterwards joined the United States National Guard. During his four year term in the National Guard, he married Jeri Seeley and they gave birth to their only child, Becki. Jeri and Al eventually divorced, but remained best friends until his death.
Al had a passion for cars. He enjoyed going to drag races and taking his 1965 El Camino to car shows. While he was in the National Guard he started working at Pacific Power and Light, and worked there from age 18 until he retired at age 59.
After retiring, Al started investing in real estate and flipping houses. He also took up traveling and went on cruises and train rides around the United States and spent many winters snow birding in Arizona. However, the thing he loved more than anything was spending time with his family.
Al will be lovingly remembered and missed by his daughter, Becki; son-in-law, Marty; and his grandchildren, Amanda and Mason. He is also survived by his older sister, Anna and her husband, Jim; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Al’s life will be held at Peace Lutheran Church in Chehalis, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at 1 p.m. A reception with a light lunch will follow.
He lived simply, but loved deeply.
