Ronald Gordon Thornton Smyth

Born to Gordon & Beatrice Smyth in Seattle, Washington September 7, 1936, peacefully passed away at the age of 84 on September 9, 2020, in Edmonds, Washington. Husband to wife Jeanette (5/7/2019), Father to Harold Smyth (Donna), Victoria Wright (Shawn) & Eric Smyth, Brother to Douglas Smyth (Marilyn), Sister Leslie Straub, Uncle to Nicholas Smyth, Grandfather to Lauren Glasel, Griffin Smyth, Langdon Galyean & Fiona Hawkins Great Grandfather to Mason Glasel & Jeanette Galyean, Great Uncle to Taylor Stenzel, Zach, Reagan and Cassidy Smyth. Dad accomplished a great many things by the age of 43 to include: Graduated William H. Seward High School, 26 MAY 1954. Police Officer & Correctional Officer of Federal Prisons Seward, Alaska Mid 1954-1959. Member of the Order of De Molay Northern Light chapter Seward, Alaska. Alaska Army National Guard 6 APR 1954 Co C 207th Infantry Battalion achieving rank of Sergeant. Officer Candidate School August 1957, at Fort Benning, Georgia, Class NG OC 1-57 52nd Company and graduated Commissioned Officer 2nd Lieutenant on 18 SEPT 1957 at the age of 21. 1st Lieutenant Infantry on 17 SEPT 1960. Washington National Guard at Camp Murray, 41st Infantry Division, on 1 SEPT 1962 - tank commander and Division Commander’s aide-de-camp. Honorably Discharged on 19 APR 1968. Owner of Ron’s Richfield gas station in Edmonds, Washington, early to mid 1960’s; owner of Ron’s Marine Service in Edmonds, Washington. Dad then seized the opportunity afforded him by taking a job with the tugboat company, Northland Marine Lines, earning his ticket as an AB Seaman in the early 1970’s and then becoming Chief Engineer for Northland and later with Washington Tug & Barge. He always spoke fondly of those times at sea; grew a spectacular beard, watched the dolphins swim alongside the tug as he tanned on the deck of the tugboat in the Pacific. He loved bird hunting with his sons. Ron was a licensed private pilot and had a love for the Warbirds of the 1940’s. While serving as Chief Engineer with Washington Tug & Barge, he suffered a chemical accident and was blinded in December 1979, in Sitka, Alaska. At the age of 43, Dad “retired” immediately as a result of his injuries. His passion for airplanes grew stronger and his dream of owning a WWII P-51D Mustang became reality when he was blessed to obtain the famous “Miss America” in 1981. There were many happy years where he proudly showed and shared “Miss A” Race 11 N991R. He enjoyed riding in “Miss A” until she was sold in 1989. In the Summer 1982 he purchased a 1940 Boeing Stearman. Over many years, great memories were made at numerous fly-ins; flying back for the EAA Oshkosh Wisconsin fly-in was a favorite. Dad also loved fishing with our family. He enjoyed trips back to Seward and would charter a boat just for us. Fishing with Dad was awesome, and he was in his element being back home where he grew up sharing all the special memories he had. Dad said that he wouldn’t have chosen to become blind, but he was grateful it brought him to Jesus. In 2006 Dad claimed Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior. Blind in 1979 and 43 years later Jesus is the first One he sees.