Publication Date: Friday, October 18, 2019

  Kathryn Lois Smith, 95, of Grants Pass died on Oct. 10, 2019. Called Kathy by her friends and extended family, she was the great-great-granddaughter of pioneers who settled in Josephine County during the 1800s.

  Kathy was born on Jan. 13, 1924, in Grants Pass to Lester and Gladys Ford and grew up locally with her five siblings. She attended Ferrydale School, the old schoolhouse at the end of Ferry Road, and graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1941. For a short time after high school, she worked locally for Blind George as his bookkeeper, before joining the Navy during World War II. Stationed in Washington D.C., Kathy entered data into some of the first computer systems as a part of her Navy duties.

  She returned home from the military to become engaged to and marry William O. Smith, the brother of Kathy's best friend, who grew up on his grandmother's ranch on Shan Creek. Kathy helped fund her husband's first logging truck and eventually Bill and Kathy ran a small logging company in the area, until they retired in the 1970s. The couple had three children together, Kenneth, Judy, and Sandra.

  Kathy was a consummate homemaker. She processed all the family food, made clothing for her two daughters, was a master gardener, and maintained the family home. She led a Girl Scout troop in the late 1950s. She was dedicated to her extended family, providing at times for the care of her parents, her aunts, two nieces, grandson, as well as employment for teenage nephews and nieces.

  She enjoyed collecting; bottle hunting with her sister and sister-in-law, and amassing an extensive array of oil and vinegar cruets among other smaller collections. She was most known for her gardening skills. She produced a small oasis on Upper River Road Loop, where she resided for 30 plus years and gardened into her 90s.

  Following her husband's death, she joined a swim class at Club Northwest, a 20-year membership, resulting in a new groups of friends. She traveled nationally and internationally with family members, enjoyed photography and genealogy.

  She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; and four brothers, Robert, Porter, Glynn, and Ralph Ford.

  Survivors include her sister Dorothy Tulare; sister-in-law Rowena Tetz; children, Kenneth Smith and wife, Barbara, Sandra Huntzinger and husband, Rand, and Judy Smith; her grandchildren, Sean Crow, Elizabeth Smith, Sarah Martin and her husband, Matthew, David Huntzinger and Amy Huntzinger; great-grandsons, Eli and Brennan Martin; and a large number of extended family members.

  Her celebration of life and reception will be held from noon to 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, at Taprock Northwest Grill in Grants Pass. Family and friends are invited to attend.

  The family would like to thank the staff at Redwood Terrace, Asante Three Rivers Medical Center, and the veterans wing at Highland House for assisting with the care of Kathy in her final days.

  In lieu of flowers, donations to local charities would be appreciated.

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  To place an obituary, call Tamara Stuebing at 541-474-3714 or email obits@thedailycourier.com