Welmon served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.
Welmon Smith, Jr., ”Smitty”, passed away on Saturday, July 4th at 88 years of age. He was born in Elvesta, Texas on February 12th, 1932 to Mary and Welmon Smith Sr. He was the 6th child of 7 and the last surviving sibling.
While stationed at Portland Air Force Base in 1952, he met and fell in love with Nona Jean Godfrey at the NCO Club and they married December 12th, 1952, living in Portland, Oregon until moving to Vancouver, Washington in 1956.
He worked in the Heating and Air Condition industry and owned his own company, Smith Heating Service, for 40 years.
He was actively involved in his neighborhood association, a Lifetime Member of Mt. Hood Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Al Kader Shrine. His passion was helping the youth receive college scholarships through the Scottish Rite Scholarship Foundation.
Smitty loved gardening, barbequing by the pool and telling jokes.
He is survived by his wife, Nona of 67 years; 3 loving children, Roger (Lisa) Smith, Nancy (Michael) West, of Vancouver and Pam (Dan) Plotner of Washougal; 5 grandchildren, Jenny Bailey, Michelle Sanders, Angela Plotner, Rachel Warneking and Mike Smith; 6 great-grandchildren, Savanah, Alyssa, and Derek Bailey, Amia and Mercy Warneking and Harland Sanders.
Nona Jean Smith passed away on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, at 89 years of age. She was born in Oregon City, OR, on Jan. 1, 1932, and was the only child born to James and Leona Godfrey. Nona was the first New Year’s baby born in Oregon City and had beautiful auburn curls.
She grew up in Portland and attended Oregon State College in 1950. Nona met the love of her life while attending a social gathering at the NCO Club. She married Welmon “Smitty” Smith Dec. 12, 1952. They lived in Portland until moving to Vancouver in 1956. Nona worked for the telephone company and later helped run the family business, Smith Heating Service while being a stay-at-home mom to their three children. Nona and Smitty were married 67 years until he passed away in July 2020.
Nona volunteered as a room mom and H.O.S.T. reading tutor for many years, was actively involved in The Order of Rainbow for Girls and the Eastern Star. Her passion was for her family and close friends. She loved having family gatherings, barbecues and pool parties.
Nona is survived by her three loving children, Roger (Lisa) Smith, Nancy (Michael) West, of Vancouver and Pam (Dan) Plotner of Washougal, WA; five grandchildren, Jenny Bailey, Michelle Sanders, Angela Hodges, Rachel Warneking and Mike Smith; six great-grandchildren, Savanah, Alyssa and Derek Bailey, Tosh and Sienna Hodges, Amia and Mercy Warneking, and Harland Sanders.
We design every page from Welmon’s 21 photos. Make it yours, then order a copy for everyone who loved Welmon.
Family milestones in gold, history for context
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4/23/24
Visited mom and dad today on Noralee's 3rd birthday... the lilacs we left remind me of all our Memorial Day trips to Salem to visit my grandparents graves when I was a little kid!
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