Herbert Joseph Smith, my dad, was born on July 15, 1932 in Waterloo Iowa to Marian and Herbert Austin Smith. He was the eldest of three sons; his two brothers were Ray and Ronald they have also passed away. My dad's father was a professional golfer and Herb gained that passion too. Herb was twelve when he left with his father to California the aftermath of the divorce. Herb's first job was delivering newspapers. Herb attended Polytechnic High School in Long Beach in which he was involved in basketball and sang in the choir during his senior year. He graduated in the class of 1950. A year later his father died and he soon found he was the man of the house....
During this time he enrolled at Long Beach City College and joined the choir there. It was at Long Beach City College he met, my mother, Charlotte Claire Gibson. This was the beginning of a relationship that would last over a half-century. They both were involved in music together and became members of an octet. Herb later had a job at Sav-on during his college years. He maintained a B grade average and graduated in 1952 with an Associate of Arts degree.
At christmas time in 1952, Herbert and Charlotte Smith became engaged and a year later on December 26th, they became Husband and wife....
My father got drafted in the Army in May 1954 about 5 months before his first daughter would be born.
On October 19, 1954, Diane Marie was born (my sister).
My father after the Army had left his job from Sav-on to work for the Coca-Cola company.
On June 10, 1960, second daughter was born, Annette Elizabeth and soon the Smith family was complete. My Dad was very happy with his two daughters even though I know he would have wanted a son but I think having healthy kids is more important to him.
Later on, my dad went to work for American Greetings and around that time frame my sister married a wonderful guy in 1973 and five years later became a grandpa with the birth of Shannon Michelle on September 30, 1978; three years later was the birth of the first grandson, Nathaniel Bryan and 4 years later the second grandson, Peter Nathan on December 2, 1985.
The happiest years of my dad's life was between the 1980's to 1989 when he was an active member of the Elks, Long Beach Chapter 888. He went up through the ranks and in 1988 became the Exalted Ruler. He won many state awards. Memories he will always cherish.
In 1989 my parents moved from Cypress, CA to Folsom, CA. My father worked for the Department of Consumer Affairs until a few months before he passed away.
In 2003, Herb and Charlotte celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Long Beach. Early the next year he suffered a heart attack and had a four-way bypass operation. Later that year, grandaughter, Shannon married George Delzer.
The year 2004 and beyond, my father's health was an issue. Having suffered a stroke he became a permanent resident at a convalescent hospital until the date of his death, August 26, 2007
My father had a complete and exciting life and a long marriage with two daughters, 1 granddaughter, and two grandsons and just recently on March 31st, 2008 he would have been a great-grandpa. His great-granddaughter, Madison Renee the result of George and Shannon Delzer (granddaughter)....
I will never forget my father; a wonderful man.