Obituary of Jerry Don Smith

His Legacy… Jerry was born July 1, 1931 in Jefferson County Oklahoma near the Metropolitan city of Addington, population 250. He and his 5 siblings all grew up & went through high school there. His mother was born near Oakland, Indian Territory, Chickasaw Nation. His father was born at Illinois Bend, Texas in Montague County. One of the towns in Montague County was Spanish Fort & this is where Joe Justin of Justin Boot Company got his start in the Chisholm Trail days. This area is where the Chisholm Trail entered the "territory" in the 1860's after the civil war. Jerry went to college at Oklahoma State University, earning a BS and MS in Agronomy and in 1955 went to work for the USDA as a research agronomist at Stillwater, Okla.---home of Okla. State. He worked there until the end of 1962 and then went to work for the University of California, Cooperative Extension as a Farm Advisor assigned to Butte County. He worked for them until he retired in July, 1993. He did not miss a day of work switching from the USDA to UC. Jerry enjoyed his membership in the Golden Feather Model A Club of Oroville, Rotary Club and cooking with the Cattlemen’s Association for many years. He was past President of Fellows Club where he looked forward to the noon luncheons and fellowship. His Family… Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; John and Essie Smith and his five siblings; Mildred, Genia, Lucy, John Jr., and George. Jerry is survived by his wife Kathy, his step daughters Heidi (Mike) Hoskins and Heather (Todd) Hoffmann; step-grandchildren Michael Hoskins, Mollee Hoskins, Trenton Hoffmann and Taylor Hoffmann. He is also survived by his nephews and nieces John (Maureen) Thompson of Georgia, Clay (Theresa) Smith of Texas, John W. Smith III of California, Cindy (Jerry) Garland of Colorado, Priscilla (Mike) Brashear of Texas and Polly Smith Guthrie and several great nephews and nieces. He is also survived by very dear friends Mike and Becky Smith. His Farewell Service… Graveside Services will be private. Arrangements are entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877.