Gordon Lester Smith

A funeral service for Gordon Lester Smith, 91, of Coquille will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Coquille Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2405 Shelley Road in Coquille. A public visitation will precede the service at the church at 10 am. Private burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Park in Coos Bay.

Gordon has gone home to be with his beloved wife and loved ones who have passed on before him. He was born Dec. 25, 1927 to Hazel Mae Campbell and Harry Lonzo Smith.

In the spring of 1946 Gordon proudly joined the US Navy, serving aboard the troopship USS General William Mitchel and served until 1948 when the war ended. After his service in the military Gordon moved back to Hood River Oregon where he began is life long career as a logger. Shortly after, he met the love of his life, Betty Lou Kessling. He had recalled at one point of meeting Betty, "I had dated four Bettys before I met her and we despised each other at first sight." In 1949 those feelings changed and they went on to get married and have six beautiful children, David, Robert, Richard, Dennis, Patrick, and Rebecca.

In the early 70s Gordon and Betty founded Betty's Scones, which is still run today by family and close family friends, still using Betty's original scone recipe which has been handed down through the generations.

Gordon is survived by five of his six children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He will forever be missed but his love and devotion to his family and the Church of Latter Day Saints will not be forgotten.

Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131 www.coosbayareafunerals.com.

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