Clarice “Lee” Smith went to the Lord on July 21, 2009 surrounded by his loving family.

Lee was preceded in death by the love of his life Charlene Smith, wife of 51 years; daughter Susan Smith; sister Eva Christopher; brother John Smith; mother Verna Smith; and father Oliver “Lee” Smith.

Lee was born on Sept. 27, 1926 in Mannville, Alberta, Canada. As a child he and his family lived many places, finally settling in Skagit County.

Lee was inducted in the U.S. Army when he was 18. After serving his assignment in the Army, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he toured the world, retiring in 1966 with over 20 years of service. Lee was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

He met and married his beautiful wife Charlene in Burlington. They were married there on Feb. 14, 1956. Together they made their home in Oak Harbor, residing there for 38 years. While living in Oak Harbor, Lee worked as a manager supervisor at the seaplane service station and later retired from the Coupeville School District as a bus driver.

Lee is survived by his sister, Sarah Cummings of Camano Island; son, Tim Smith and his wife Esther, daughter Patty Smith and daughter Colleen Lemmon, all of Sedro-Woolley; granddaughter, Amy Johnson (Lemmon) and her husband David of Lake Stevens; grandsons, Shane Flynn of Mount Vernon and Matthew Smith of Sedro-Woolley; great-granddaughters, Hailey, Samantha, Alexis and Raegan; and also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held, Wednesday, July 29, at 1 p.m. at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley, with Pastor Jim Cannon of Bethel Assembly of God officiating with interment to follow with Military Honors at Greenhills Cemetery in Burlington. Fellowship will follow directly after the graveside services at the Sedro-Woolley Eagles at the corner Metcalf and Warner. Memorials are suggested in memory of Lee to the Puget Sound Kidney Center, 430 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor WA 98277. To view a live webcast of the funeral service on Wednesday, July 29 at 1 p.m., go to www.lemleychapel.com, click onto Lee’s obituary and click on view webcast at bottom of obituary. Please share your memories of Lee and sign the online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com