1921
Theron
2015
Theron Eldon Smith
December 27, 1921 — April 30, 2015
Theron (“Smitty”) E. Smith leaves us with a legacy of devotion to his family, country, and community. Those who knew him would say he was not only a true professional who devoted much to his country and community, but also was a quiet, gentle, kind, caring soul who always took the time to listen and give his fellow man a helping hand. To family, he was that and so much more… he was our father; our hero; our friend.
At 93, Theron continued to accomplish more in his lifetime than most. Born as an identical twin to brother, Verald Alton, both were sons to Henry and Ella Smith of Burley (later Challis), Idaho. Together, the twins enjoyed fishing, hunting, swimming, basketball, football and wrestling while gold, silver and ore mining with their father. In school bands, Theron played the drums; Verald, the clarinet and together, they were “two peas in a pod.” As a teenager, Theron worked summers as a U.S. Forest Fire Lookout living alone in a ranger tower for months giving him his love for nature. Theron and Verald discovered their love of flying when they were given a ride in their neighbor’s aerobatic bi-plane and their lives were changed forever.
Theron became an Aviation Student at Utah State College, training in Springfield, Missouri for Multi-Engine Advanced Combat. He was soon called to Active Duty for World War II joining the Air Corps and posted to the China-Burma-India Theater. He became a member of the famous “Flying Tiger” Squadron piloting over the treacherous Himalayas (“The Hump”). Theron Eldon, (T.E., nicknamed “Twin Engines”), served for the 10th Army Corps and 14th Air Force as part of the effort to supply China forces with 650,000 tons of ammunition, guns, medical supplies and food as they fought against enemy Japanese occupation forces.
Flying the Himalayas was described by Theron as “Hours of monotony, but sudden moments of sheer terror as thick cumulonimbus clouds made flying extremely dangerous. A plane would enter a cloud only to emerge minutes later upside down and out of control.” As many as 800 pilots lost their lives in a matter of 8 months flying “The Hump.” Major Theron E. Smith was one of the lucky ones as he flew Douglas (DC-47) “Gooney Birds” & Curtis (C- 46 & 47’s) with as many as 9 combat missions in one day. He flew over 667 combat/operational hours totaling 267 missions overall. Having piloted for U.S. Brigadier General Claire Lee Chennault and Chinese Political/Military Leader, Chiang Kai-shek, Theron was honored with a total of 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 6 Air Medals, 4 Major Battle Stars, 2 Distinguished Unit Citations, 1 UK-Burma Star, 2 Chinese Memorial Awards, US Victory & Cold War Medals, plus an American Defense and Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal.
After surviving World War II, Smitty obtained his Bachelor of Arts & Sciences Degree specializing in Architectural Design at the University of Idaho where he met his future wife of 61 ½ years, Sharon Donohue of Dayton, WA. They married September 3rd, 1950 and had four children; Michele, Reed, Casi & Shannon.
Through several local architectural firms, including his own, (“The Architect Shop”), the unique look of much of downtown Walla Walla is thanks to Smitty’s great architectural efforts to save and historically preserve original buildings while designing many new ones. He is also the known Designer & Architect of Walla Walla Community College, its Technical building, brought in its World’s Fair Pavilion buildings and designed the famed gold geodesic Dietrich Dome landmark. He is also known for having designed The Cascade Natural Gas building, plus numerous remodeled churches, credit unions, office buildings, schools, bridges and has obtained much recognition and numerous awards for many more.
He was one of the Founding Members of many vital community organizations, including the American Red Cross, Downtown & Heart Fund Foundations, The Historical & Preservation Society and local Campfire Girls & Boy Scout Chapters. He was a 30+ year member of the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, a 60+ year Exchange Club member and a 50+ year Four Seasons member. Plus, a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Walla Walla Elks Lodge #287, The American Legion, Reserve Officers Association and The Distinguished Flying Cross Society.
For his many contributions, he was honored as the 2013 “Man of the Year” by the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce. Just three days before he left us, he was still earning awards as he was recognized for the Walla Walla 2020 Award for the “Exterior Restoration and Interior Renovation of a Historical Building” for Walla Walla’s Pantorium Building.
Theron is survived by his children; Michele Guess of Walla Walla, Reed (Robin) Smith of Bellevue, Casi Smith of Walla Walla and Shannon (Pat) Smith-McKeown of Walla Walla, Sister-in-law; Dwyla Donohue, grandchildren; Casi (Blake), Courtney (Charles) and Griffin (Sarah) and two great- grandchildren; Max and Molly. He dearly loved his family, grandchildren, newly born great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and created many wonderful memories with them.
Memorial Services with full military honors will be held Saturday, May 16th at 1 pm located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (323 Catherine Street) in Walla Walla with a reception to follow.
Donations may be made to Smitty’s on-going efforts toward building a local WWII Memorial Monument (payable to Fort Walla Walla for tax deduction/memo to WWII Memorial) or to the Walla Walla Historical & Preservation Society c/o Herring’s Funeral Home (315 W. Alder Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362)
~We Love You, Dad and Will Miss You Dearly~
“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things.”
At 93, Theron continued to accomplish more in his lifetime than most. Born as an identical twin to brother, Verald Alton, both were sons to Henry and Ella Smith of Burley (later Challis), Idaho. Together, the twins enjoyed fishing, hunting, swimming, basketball, football and wrestling while gold, silver and ore mining with their father. In school bands, Theron played the drums; Verald, the clarinet and together, they were “two peas in a pod.” As a teenager, Theron worked summers as a U.S. Forest Fire Lookout living alone in a ranger tower for months giving him his love for nature. Theron and Verald discovered their love of flying when they were given a ride in their neighbor’s aerobatic bi-plane and their lives were changed forever.
Theron became an Aviation Student at Utah State College, training in Springfield, Missouri for Multi-Engine Advanced Combat. He was soon called to Active Duty for World War II joining the Air Corps and posted to the China-Burma-India Theater. He became a member of the famous “Flying Tiger” Squadron piloting over the treacherous Himalayas (“The Hump”). Theron Eldon, (T.E., nicknamed “Twin Engines”), served for the 10th Army Corps and 14th Air Force as part of the effort to supply China forces with 650,000 tons of ammunition, guns, medical supplies and food as they fought against enemy Japanese occupation forces.
Flying the Himalayas was described by Theron as “Hours of monotony, but sudden moments of sheer terror as thick cumulonimbus clouds made flying extremely dangerous. A plane would enter a cloud only to emerge minutes later upside down and out of control.” As many as 800 pilots lost their lives in a matter of 8 months flying “The Hump.” Major Theron E. Smith was one of the lucky ones as he flew Douglas (DC-47) “Gooney Birds” & Curtis (C- 46 & 47’s) with as many as 9 combat missions in one day. He flew over 667 combat/operational hours totaling 267 missions overall. Having piloted for U.S. Brigadier General Claire Lee Chennault and Chinese Political/Military Leader, Chiang Kai-shek, Theron was honored with a total of 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 6 Air Medals, 4 Major Battle Stars, 2 Distinguished Unit Citations, 1 UK-Burma Star, 2 Chinese Memorial Awards, US Victory & Cold War Medals, plus an American Defense and Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal.
After surviving World War II, Smitty obtained his Bachelor of Arts & Sciences Degree specializing in Architectural Design at the University of Idaho where he met his future wife of 61 ½ years, Sharon Donohue of Dayton, WA. They married September 3rd, 1950 and had four children; Michele, Reed, Casi & Shannon.
Through several local architectural firms, including his own, (“The Architect Shop”), the unique look of much of downtown Walla Walla is thanks to Smitty’s great architectural efforts to save and historically preserve original buildings while designing many new ones. He is also the known Designer & Architect of Walla Walla Community College, its Technical building, brought in its World’s Fair Pavilion buildings and designed the famed gold geodesic Dietrich Dome landmark. He is also known for having designed The Cascade Natural Gas building, plus numerous remodeled churches, credit unions, office buildings, schools, bridges and has obtained much recognition and numerous awards for many more.
He was one of the Founding Members of many vital community organizations, including the American Red Cross, Downtown & Heart Fund Foundations, The Historical & Preservation Society and local Campfire Girls & Boy Scout Chapters. He was a 30+ year member of the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, a 60+ year Exchange Club member and a 50+ year Four Seasons member. Plus, a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Walla Walla Elks Lodge #287, The American Legion, Reserve Officers Association and The Distinguished Flying Cross Society.
For his many contributions, he was honored as the 2013 “Man of the Year” by the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce. Just three days before he left us, he was still earning awards as he was recognized for the Walla Walla 2020 Award for the “Exterior Restoration and Interior Renovation of a Historical Building” for Walla Walla’s Pantorium Building.
Theron is survived by his children; Michele Guess of Walla Walla, Reed (Robin) Smith of Bellevue, Casi Smith of Walla Walla and Shannon (Pat) Smith-McKeown of Walla Walla, Sister-in-law; Dwyla Donohue, grandchildren; Casi (Blake), Courtney (Charles) and Griffin (Sarah) and two great- grandchildren; Max and Molly. He dearly loved his family, grandchildren, newly born great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and created many wonderful memories with them.
Memorial Services with full military honors will be held Saturday, May 16th at 1 pm located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (323 Catherine Street) in Walla Walla with a reception to follow.
Donations may be made to Smitty’s on-going efforts toward building a local WWII Memorial Monument (payable to Fort Walla Walla for tax deduction/memo to WWII Memorial) or to the Walla Walla Historical & Preservation Society c/o Herring’s Funeral Home (315 W. Alder Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362)
~We Love You, Dad and Will Miss You Dearly~
“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things.”
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Theron Eldon Smith, please visit our flower store.
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