Mr. Paul Thomas Smith died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Manteca, California on June 7, 2016 at the age of 73. Paul is survived by his wife Barbara Smith, his children Greg and Stef Smith and Mike and Randy Johnson, his grandchildren River and Sudi, Cleopatra and Thurman, Jennifer and David, Barbara and Becca, and his great-grand grandchildren Cooper, Kiley, Kaleb and Taylor.
Paul was born on April 25, 1943 in Stockton, California to Samuel Herman and Alice Smith. He worked as a meat-cutter for 33 years until an accident ended his career at the age of 48. He endured much physical pain for the past 25 years but you wouldn’t know it by his never-ending good humor. His children remember him as a kind and gentle man who quietly guided them to become independent thinkers and always supported their dreams.
Paul was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting and golf. He was accomplished at tying flies and started a company named after his grandson called River King Flies. He looked forward to his biannual trips to Alaska where he fished in the midnight sun with friends and family. He was a die-hard Giants fan and an active and dedicated member of the Church of Christ and often volunteered to help the elderly or infirm.
SERVICES
A service is scheduled for 2:00pm on Monday June 13, 2016 in the Chapel of Flowers at Cherokee Memorial in Lodi California. Thomas Snead, Minister from Lathrop Church of Christ, will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Paul’s life. Condolences can be sent to his daughter Stef at stefsmith1823@gmail.com or to his wife Barbara at 1305 Kelley Drive, Manteca, CA 95336.