Mr Robert Lorraine Smith

Robert L. Smith was born January 31, 1939 In Pickett Arkansas to Jonah Newton Smith and Joy Evelyn Irvin. Pop was the eldest of seven siblings. His full blooded sister was, Erma Yvonda, his half-sister is Aunt Barbara his half-brothers are Uncle Benny, Jim, and Tommy and Chuck.
At the age of 16 Pop joined the Navy (told them he was 18). He spent the next 20 years traveling the world. Most of his overseas time was spent on a re-fueler. During his time in the Navy, Dad served in the Korean War, was involved in the Bay of Pigs action and saw the beginning of the Viet Nam war. Dad was promoted to Chief Petty Officer and was an instructor at the NTC (Naval Training Center) in National City for several years.
After retiring from the Navy, Dad went to work for National Steel in San Diego. He was there just a few years when he heard about CA State needing personnel in the Central Valley Dam Project. In 1970 he became a CA State employee as a hydro electric operator for the San Luis Dam Project located just outside the town of Los Banos, CA.
In 1978 he started another new adventure and purchased a café and home located on the Pend Ore River in Usk Washington. In addition to this, he went to work for the Federal Dam project in Grand Coulee Washington, west of Spokane. He and his partner would work 7 – 10 days straight and then return back to Usk, WA for 4 days at a time to help the wives run the restaurant.
Since our mother was not overly happy about the Washington adventure, they moved back to CA approximately 4 years later. Dad was hired back on with the State of CA and was stationed at the Pear Blossom pumping plant. Buying a home in Lake L.A., they settled here, retired and lived out their lives in this community.
He enjoyed all sports, especially baseball and football. When we were youngsters, we recall him taking us to the old S.D. Coliseum to watch wrestling, basketball and roller derby. Before moving to the Central Valley he would occasionally attend a San Diego Charger game and Padre game depending on the season.
Robert is preceded in death by his wife Myra, daughter Sandra, grandsons Rick Sichak and Jared Jones. He is survived by son Larry Smith (Alicia), two daughters – Donna Smith Doyle (Jack) and Candace Smith Jones (Marvin). Grandsons: Keith Sichak, Brett Jones, Granddaughters: Tanya Ayala Romero, Audra Jones Cotta, Amber Smith Lemoine. Great grandchildren: Michael, Desiree, Cedrick, Bella, Christopher, Angela and Hailey Sichak, Wyatt & Garrett Cotta, and Anthony Lemoine