July 25, 1919 - Dec. 21, 2006

Everett Kenneth Smith, a resident of Corvallis since 1951, died at his home on Dec. 21 at the age of 87.

He was born in Wendell, Idaho, on July 25, 1919. Everett and his first spouse, Lela M. Peterson, were married in Springfield in 1944. She died in 1970. In 1971, Everett married his current spouse, Wilda M. Van Koten, in Corvallis. He was a long standing member of the First Christian Church of Corvallis and also belonged to the Oregon Education Association, Phi Delta Kappa and the Rose Society.

Everett was raised in the Northwest. After he graduated from college, he was a professional educator, spending most of his career in the Corvallis School District, retiring from Highland View Junior High School. At First Christian Church of Corvallis, he was a member of the choir and held many congregational offices. His favorite avocations were gardening, particularly with roses, and collecting classical music. He loved ballroom dancing with his wife. After he and Wilda retired, they traveled occasionally and enjoyed spending extra time with their extended families. They have been residents at Stoneybrook Lodge since it opened in 1999.

Survivors include his wife, Wilda; brothers Ed, Chet and Bruce; sisters Dorothy Treharne, Cheri Folk and Charlene Tharp; daughters Lenore Retterath and Rebecca Dennis; stepchildren Victor Van Koten, Gary Van Koten and Charla Nudelman; 10 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at First Christian Church at Sixth and Madison in Corvallis.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Christian Church of Corvallis, Evergreen Hospice or Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in care of McHenry Funeral Home.