Dennis Gerald Smith, known as “Smitty” to most, was born on Sunday, Oct. 4, 1936, in Palisade, Neb., to Clifford Clinton Smith and Ardith Geraldine (McCormick) Smith. Smitty passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, Sept. 2, 2016, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Carol, his wife of 43 years, was at his bedside when he passed away.

As a teen he could be found working alongside his father and brother Bill in the family business, Smith Sales and Service, repairing and servicing cars and tractors. Smitty graduated in 1954 from Palisade High School.

Following high school, Smitty enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 26, 1957. After boot camp and specialized training in aviation, he went to his first duty station at NAS Atsugi, Japan, beginning his career as an aviation machinist mate. Smitty came to NAS Whidbey Island in 1968 and it was here he served the rest of his military career, retiring with 30 years of service. He retired as a master chief petty officer on Feb. 1, 1987, from VAQ-129.

During his time in the service, he received numerous awards, including the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V, Navy Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal (eight awards).

After retiring from the service he took a short break from the military and went to work for the Oak Harbor School District as a janitor for a year, working alongside military colleagues he had retired with.

In 1988, he returned to NAS Whidbey as an aviation inspector for the Grumman Gulfstream TC-4C aircraft until the squadron was disestablished in 1995. Shortly after, he was able to continue his career working as an aircraft engine mechanic until 2012, when he retired.

In 1969, Smitty met the love of his life, Carol Jean Little, and married her on Aug. 22, 1973. They built a home together in Oak Harbor, where they raised their family and spent the rest of their lives building many memories together.

On Feb. 10, 1976, they welcomed their first child, son Gerald Dennis. A year later, on March 12, 1977, they welcomed a daughter, Geraldine Denise “Sissy.” Several years later on July 21, 1983, another boy was born into the Smith household, Christopher Clinton.

During Smitty’s youthful years, he and Carol spent a lot of time fishing on his boat. When the kids were younger, they would pack the kids up and take them on the boat; other times he’d go out with his buddies. He also spent time hunting with his wife and friends.

When he wasn’t watching his college football team, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he spent a great deal of his spare time tinkering in the garage, working on his ’72 Dodge “Big Red,” restoring his Plymouth Fury or just working on home repair projects. Smitty was a very hands-on man who was able to fix just about anything that was thrown at him. If he wasn’t working on his own vehicles, he was helping friends.

He was a long-time member of various organizations. He was a member of the CPO Club, Elks Lodge, American Legion and the Masonic Lodge in McCook, Neb. He was a life member of the Fleet Reserve and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

He was well-known and well-liked in the Oak Harbor community. Anywhere he went, he would run into someone he knew and would stand there and talk about anything and everything. People would see him driving in “Big Red” and wave, and, of course, he’d smile and wave back and at times blow the “ahooga” horn.

Smitty will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

Smitty is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 43 years, Carol J. Smith; two sons, Gerald Smith and his wife Christina and Christopher Smith and his wife Cynthia; daughter Geraldine “Sissy” Brown (Smith) and her husband George; and seven grandchildren: Kindra, Dakota, Clinton, Gabe, Ryan, Cadence and Cooper. He is also survived by his brother Bill Smith and his wife Beth; along with his life-long friends Fred and Nada Krotter; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clifford Clinton Smith and Ardith Geraldine (McCormick) Smith and sister Isletta Ann Zolper (Smith).

A memorial service for Smitty will be from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016 at the NAS Whidbey Chief Petty Officers’ Club, Oak Harbor.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor. Please visit Smitty’s page in the Book of Memories online at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and leave condolences.