Jack L. Smiley, Jr.

COLLEGE PLACE - Jack L. Smiley, Jr., 69, passed to his rest May 1, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family. He fought a tough battle with a rare form of liver cancer.

One of four children, Jack was born October 12, 1942, in Vancouver, Washington, to Jack L. and C. Pearl Smiley. He grew up in Walla Walla and attended public schools, graduating in 1960. As a youth, he participated in a variety of sports but baseball was his first love.

He was a member of numerous all-star teams during his formative years, and in the fall of 1960, he accepted a Grant and Aid scholarship to Eastern Washington where he was a left-handed pitcher. In 1963, he and his Eastern teammates won the Evergreen Conference Championship and they were Northwest Regional Champions.

In 1964, he was selected as a first team all-conference pitcher.

He worked as a graduate assistant in the baseball program at Eastern in 1965 and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in health, physical education and recreation in the same year from Eastern Washington University.

In the fall of 1965, he began his 46 year career as a teacher, coach and athletic administrator. On August 20, 1966, he and Judy F.

Amon were married in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. They have spent the past

45 years together.

Jack's working life revolved around teaching. He often spoke of how fortunate he was to work in a profession that gave so much joy and pleasure. During his teaching, he had stops in Davenport, Washington, Pendleton, Oregon, Hermiston, Oregon, Walla Walla Community College, Prescott, Washington, Waitsburg, Washington and Dayton, Washington. He especially enjoyed working with coaches and student/ athletes and was an advocate for all.

As a teacher, coach and athletic administrator, Jack won numerous awards but none were more important to him than the personal relationship he built with fellow coaches, former players and his teaching peers. He was active at the state, district and local levels in his beloved profession and took pride in doing his best.

Jack is survived by his loving, faithful wife, Judy, of 45 years; a loving son, Jeff Smiley of Milton-Freewater; and loving daughter, Julie and her husband Zach Doty of Walla Walla; three wonderful grandchildren:

Austin Leber, Hayden Leber, and Brooke Smiley; three caring siblings - sisters: Carolee Armstrong of Walla Walla, Cherryl Perfect of Renton; his brother, Richard Smiley of Olympia, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. His family and extended family is paramount in his life today and always.

He took great pride in following his grandchildren in their sports, FFA and numerous other activities. He taught them to play golf and enjoy the great outdoors as he did. He loved the summers and falls and spent as much time outdoors as possible.

Most of his hobbies revolved around competitive athletics and sports. He was an avid golfer and loved to play with family and friends.

Each summer he and his brother would play two weeks of marathon golf, traveling to the West side and back to Eastern Washington to take in the numerous, groomed golf courses available.

Jack would like to be remembered for his competitive nature with a touch of emotion and compassion for all.

He treated people with respect and fairness and cherished his many friends and acquaintances. Please help his family enjoy his many successes and remember him as a friend for life.

The Celebration of Life will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 19, 2012, at Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, Washington. Dan Counts will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jack Smiley Memorial Fund at Baker Boyer Bank through the funeral home.

Friends may write memories and sign the online guestbook at www.mountainviewcolonialdewitt.com