Monte E. Smith passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 7, 2015 at the North Valley Extended Care in Tonasket, Wash.

Born in Tonasket, Wash., on September 16, 1918 to parents Harold L. Smith and Pearl Graves Smith, Monte graduated from Tonasket High School and then attended Washington State College. He returned to work in the Tonasket Post Office for a brief period before enlisting in the Coast Guard in 1941. He served on shore patrol on the East Coast during World War II.

Monte and Bonnie J. Holbert were married in Tonasket in 1944 while he was on leave. They spent the next two years in Portland, Maine, where daughter Susan was born on January 25, 1946. Returning home after the war, he worked in the office of Smith & Nelson Inc., the apple-packing warehouse that his father had started in the 1920’s.

After a short time he was able to fulfill a dream of owning a fishing boat. He moved the family to Westport, Wash., where with a college friend, he fished commercially. With help from some old time fishermen, they enjoyed success.

Then he received word from Smith & Nelson that he was needed back in Tonasket, due to the illness of the current manager. Monte moved his wife and daughter to Tonasket, adding son Scott to the family in 1950. Having made many lasting friends in the apple industry, he retired in 1990 at the age of seventy-two when his son Scott became the general manager,

Monte is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Bonnie, son Scott (Montie) Smith, grandchildren Amy Fairburn, Lisa Doud, and Matt (Danika) Smith, and great grandchildren, Casey and Emily Fairburn and Stella Crutcher and Simon Smith.

Monte was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Pearl Smith, sister Delcie Ogle and daughter Susan Doud.

Like his forefathers, Monte loved the water, ships and boats. Monte and Bonnie enjoyed many travels to places wherever there was the water and ships. But coming home to be with his family was what he treasured. He always felt blest to have lived his life as he had.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 14th at the Tonasket Community Church with Rev. Leon Alden officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial donations be made to the North Valley Community Health Association, 203 S Western Avenue, Tonasket, WA 98855.

Bergh Funeral Service in care of arrangements.