Obituary of Gordon Smith

Gordon SmithA memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday, Sept. 30, at Willamette Christian Center for Gordon Smith of Eugene, who died Sept. 21 of age-related causes at age 93. Burial will be at Rest-Haven Memorial Park in Eugene.He was born Jan. 21, 1917, in Kinsley, Kan., to Arthur and Ada Myers Smith. He married Nita Crum on Nov. 8, 1940, in Caldwell, Kan. She died in 1984.He served with the 71st Infantry in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He owned a Western Auto store from 1949 to 1959. He worked in real estate for 51 years, founding Century 21 Action in 1969 and later working for Pro Realty.Survivors include a daughter, Donna Smith of Eugene. Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene. Remembrances to New Hope Christian College.Gordon lived a long and very full life before he passed away on September 21. He will be remembered as a man of character, a man who loved people and loved God, and a man who maintained a hopeful, optimistic attitude for every day of his 93 years. He was born in Kinsley, Kansas to Art and Ada Smith, and grew up helping his dad in his auto shop. He started working at the age of seven and loved working so much that he could never seem to contemplate retirement! He sold seeds door-to-door, sold gas in a gas station, sold scholarships to a business college, sold retail in his Springfield Western Auto Store, and eventually sold real estate. He sold, not just to make money, but to help people. And because of that his customers loved and respected him to this day. He was drafted into World War II and was one of the few survivors of the Battle of the Bulge. He did basic training at Camp Adair in Oregon and loved the moderate climate compared to Kansas. In Germany, he served as a supply sergeant on the front lines, living in foxholes for nearly two years. Gordon married Juanita "Nita" Crum on November 8, 1940. She followed him from one army base to another till he was shipped off to the war along with her four brothers. After the war, their daughter, Donna, arrived and they decided to move to Oregon to get away from the snow which had gotten really tiresome in Germany. They bought Western Auto Store at 4th and Main in Springfield and his parents soon followed to be near their only son and grandchild. In 1955, Gordon sold the store and got his real estate license and went to work for Ersel Zimmerman in Springfield. In 1967 he opened Springfield Realty Center which eventually became Century 21 Action with four offices. He sold his office in 2005, but continued working in the industry he loved to the end. He was active in the real estate industry serving on the state and local boards of realtors, the state ethics committee, as president of the Springfield Board of Realtors, president of the Eugene-Springfield Multiple Listing, and named as Realtor of the Year in 1983. He trained hundreds of people in real estate and loved mentoring young people, whether it was a realtor, a teen without a dad, or just a friend. He served the larger community too as a leader of the capital fund raising team and founder of McKenzie Willamette Hospital. He was also a board member for the Salvation Army, a Rotarian for more than 50 years, a member of the council at Eugene Faith Center and on countless committees for local civic groups and organizations. Anyone who knew Gordon, knew he loved people and lived an exemplary life. But, they also knew his heart was devoted to his family. After Nita passed away in 1984, he and Donna traveled together frequently, and their favorite spot was Hawaii. He "adopted" countless sons and daughters who also called him daddy, dad or grandpa. He loved puttering in the garden sharing his tomatoes with friends. Whatever the project, Gordon was always there to help Donna, especially with New Hope International and New Hope Christian College, and other local ministries. For the last 15 years, he went to the mall each morning to walk a mile or two. He inevitably built a circle of dear friends there with other walkers who met for coffee each day and became a source of great joy. Gordon was loved by co-workers, clients, friends and family for his integrity, his unwavering faith and the twinkle that he had when he smiled. Even though he's now happy to be with the Lord and reunited with family and friends, those who are left will miss him greatly. A memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday, Sept. 30 at Willamette Christian Center. Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary. Remembrances to New Hope Christian College.