Artie Joe Smith

Artie Joe Smith

He was born Nov. 8, 1939, in Long Beach, Calif., to William and Sibylene (Roberts) Smith. 

Artie was raised by his mother and stepfather “Frosty” Fowler whom Artie dearly loved.

Artie was married twice and had two children with his first wife, Karen.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from May 1957 to May 1963. He served aboard a submarine and would tell stories of his participation in river rescues of Frenchmen in Vietnam. The rivers were too shallow to submerge the vessel and the crew would hear the sounds of enemy shells bombarding the hull.

Artie worked as a repair mechanic of foreign automobiles while living in Colorado.

He took care of his mother and together they owned and operated the Sixes River Store from 1985 to 1987. In 1991, Artie moved to Brookings.

Artie was often seen about town, making his way in his motorized wheelchair with the flag of the United States waving above it.

He attended the First Baptist Community Church. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and Disabled American Veterans. He loved hunting and fishing despite his physical limitations.

Artie was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by close friends Carrol and “Fred” Darrell Fredericks, the Olds family, Howard Geivett and Cynthia Strand. It is presumed that his son Jason and daughter Lisa Marie still survive, but their location is unknown, contact with them having been lost long ago. Artie searched for them for many years.

Artie will be remembered with a memorial ceremony organized by his friends at the First Baptist Community Church on Friday, July 3, 2009, at 10 a.m. Memorial donations for Artie may be made directly to the First Baptist Community Church, P.O. Box 4159, Brookings, OR 97415.

Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel.