C.R. "Smitty" Smith Jr.

C.R. “Smitty” Smith Jr, age 72, of Grants Pass, died Sunday, December 13, 2009 at his home.

Services will be held at a later date. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Smitty was born April 18, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Charles & Maryanna Smith. In 1952 he moved to California and in 1954 he joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War. From 1962 to 1992 he worked as a letter carrier in Newark, California. In 1972 he married Catalina “Bettye” Smith and in 2000 they moved to Oregon.

He was president of the National Association of Letter Carriers #148 for 16 years. He belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars #2302 , Elks, National Civil War Association, American Civil War Association, and National Rifle Association.

His hobbies included gardening, fishing, building models, and trips to Seven Feathers.

In addition to his wife, Bettye of Grants Pass; he is survived by two sons, Richard and Robert; four grandchildren, Allen, Ryan, Megan and Nick; and one great-grandchild, Pandora.

He was preceded in death by a son, Ronald in November 2005.