John Simon Smit was born in Vale, Oregon on December 4, 1938; the second son of Simon (Sam) Jacob and Cornelia (Nellie) J. Smit. On August 15, 2012, John passed away at his home in Portland, Oregon surrounded by his loving wife and his four children.

John was raised in Nyssa, Oregon on the Smit family dairy farm. After high school graduation in 1958 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country until 1961. A year later he met and married Norma Jean Brown in Bellflower, California.

John and Norma later moved to Nampa, Idaho, then to Portland, Oregon where they have resided the past 35 years. John spent his career as a commercial building superintendent for Westwood Corp.

His favorite past times were fishing, hunting and spending precious time with family. John and Norma enjoyed numerous trips around the U.S. in their motor home and their favorite spot was Wallowa Lake, Oregon.

John is survived by his wife of 50 years Norma, and his children Jody (David), Mike (Jill), Greg (Jenny) and Brian (Tiffany), 11 grandchildren, 3 brothers and 4 sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Sam and Casey and sisters Nellie and Mary Jean.

The family would like to extend their thanks to Portland Adventist Hospital, Hospice, their neighbors, their family and especially John Yraguen at Nampa Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be at 9:30 am Friday, August 24 at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital or Doernbecher Childrens Hospital in Portland.

Service Information Graveside Service Friday August 24, 2012 9:30 AM