It is with great sorrow that George Anthony Smith, loving husband, father, friend, and servant of the communities he served, passed from this world with his beloved wife and only son in attendance.  He was 68. George was born in Arlington, Virginia, on New Year's Day of 1955.  He was the son of Wesley and  Mabel (Wright ) Smith.  The Smiths moved to Oak Harbor, WA, when his dad was transferred to NAS Whidbey. George came from a long line of career Navy Chiefs.

He graduated from Oak Harbor High School, with the class of 1973. While he was in college, he also spent time learning and working with boatbuilding. That was his first choice for a career, but he changed his mind and decided to follow in his dad's footsteps in serving the country.  George signed up with the US Coast Guard because of his interest in boating. Upon his honorable discharge, George went on to serve his country in law enforcement with the Skagit County Sherriff's Office and then on with the Swinomish Tribal Police Department. His Coast Guard skills came in handy in operating the police seacraft, as well as George's knowledge of boatbuilding influenced both the Skagit County Sherriff's Office and the Swinomish Tribal Police Department's  selections of sea craft purchases for their search and rescue missions.

George met the love of his life, Toni Kay Humphrey, on a blind date arranged by their mutual friends on the day after Thanksgiving of 1974 in Oak Harbor. He had the coolest car, a 1969 Mach I Mustang. Both the man and his car made a great impression on Toni Kay.  They dated, and George proposed on February 5, 1975, with the couple tying the knot soon after on July 26, 1975. A son was born to them on November 11, 1980.

George was very much an adventurous and outdoorsy person, as evidenced by the activities he indulged in: fishing in the river or deep sea/ocean; hunting for grouse, deer, bear, and buffalo when in season; camping on weekends and days off with family and friends. Several motorcycling trips with Toni riding pillion or in his sidecar when his German Shepherd was not accompanying them to The Sturgis, The Black Hills, Penticton, BC through Glacier National Park.  As a family of three, they enjoyed snowmobiling in winter in the North Cascades.  He loved motorcycling with the late Joseph Bailey, a brother, in law enforcement with the Swinomish Tribal Police Department. They are probably riding in heaven together as the "Ghost Riders in the Sky."

He leaves behind his soulmate of 48 years, Toni Kay; his son Zedekiah Anthony, fondly known as KI; siblings (spouses): Thomas (Shelley), Lawrence (Donna), Pete (Lori), Glen (Betsy), Shane (Esmeralda), Sonny, Deborah (Lee Bennett) Rene (Ken Knoles) and Mandy Smith.

To share memories of George, please sign his online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com/obituary/george-smith

Special Note:

For our out-of-town guests, a discount will be made available for stays at Hampton Inn & Suites; just ask for McIntyre Hall Guest Rate and book your stay directly by calling their front desk: 360-727-7100. Their address is 1860 S Burlington Blvd, Burlington, WA 98233 .