Malcolm Leslie Smith

Malcolm (Hoagy) Leslie Smith, age 67, of Southworth, Washington went peacefully to be with his Savior on September 7, 2016. Hoag was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, WA. He was in his 11th year of Parkinson’s disease and dealt with the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease for the past several months. Hoagy had been at the Washington Veterans Home (Retsil) since June 27, 2016, prior to his recent hospitalization.

Hoag was born to Gil and Margaret Smith on September 10, 1948 in Lewiston, Idaho. As a toddler, Hoagy’s mother nicknamed him Hoagy after “Hoagy” Carmichael, a composer/singer at that time. Hoag graduated from Umatilla High School in 1967. After high school, he was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, being awarded two Bronze Star Medals, two Army Commendation Medals and a Purple Heart for his service. After his service in the Army, he attended two years at Columbia Basin Community College in Tri-Cities, WA.

Hoagy married Sharon Kowalski October 29, 1971 and they have two sons, Justin (Ange) Smith of Poulsbo, WA and Nicholas Smith (Tami, Baylee & Madison) of Richland, WA. Hoag is preceded in death by his parents. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his siblings: Alex of Banks, OR; Barbara (Gary) of Foss, OK; Kathy (Dave) of Richland, WA and Karen (Ralph) of Lapwai, ID. There are five grandchildren: Kaiyan, Savian, Zarion, Seraph and Phoenix, along with numerous nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles.

Hoag was a very loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, who enjoyed being around his family and friends more than anything. A man of strong character. Recent comments from our neighbors: “He walks the talk. I find him to be a very humble man of God! A man who walks in his integrity.” Another comment, “I always knew Hoag to be an honest man of the highest integrity — I trusted him and he trusted me.” Hoag was well respected by all who knew him, a man of strength shown by his kind and gentle spirit.

Hoag loved gospel music, fishing, camping, crabbing and simply being outdoors as often as possible. He always worked very hard and provided well for his family. He worked 20 years at Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, WA and 20 years at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA.

You will be deeply missed dear one, but never forgotten. Always in our hearts. We will meet again.

Memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, www.dav.org or National Parkinson’s Foundation, www.parkinson.org .

Blessed be the memory of Malcolm (Hoagy) Leslie Smith.