Kenneth Wilbur Smith

April 11, 1927 - September 07, 2017

Kenneth Wilbur Smith

April 11, 1927 - September 07, 2017

Obituary

Reverend Kenneth W. Smith, age 90, of Ferndale, WA, passed away September 7, 2017. Born in Lackawanna, New York, Ken left High School early to join the fight in World War II. His journey through the European Theater awoke empathy, compassion and courage that would serve him well in the years to come. Returning home, he attended Sterling College where he met the love of his life, Betty Marie Ramsey. They married on August 18, 1950, in Arkansas City, Kansas.

Ken and Betty began their Christian service as mission teachers at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska. Answering his call into the ministry, Ken earned a Masters of Divinity degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary and began his 40 years as a Presbyterian minister serving at the Chapel by the Lake, in Auke Bay, Alaska. After 22 years, Ken, Betty and familymoved to Hawaii and served 12 years at the Waimea United Church of Christ on Kauai. Ken was called back to Alaska, finishing his congregational service at the Eagle River Presbyterian Church with an additional 8 years. Church members, and non-church members alike, were struck by his vigorous devotion to congregation and community.

He directed and presided over the “Go See Seminar” mission trips throughout southeast Alaska aboard the Anna Jackman, one of several vessels in the legendary “Presbyterian Navy”. He served in multiple capacities within the Presbytery of Alaska, and in Hawaii with the United Church of Christ. Entering retirement, Ken maintained a robust schedule, where he held numerous community and volunteer posts, and authored 19 books.

Ken was known for his humor, empathy toward all people, and innovative programs. He was involved in numerous building projects in each of his congregations, and in many community projects as well. He would see a need, and start projects himself to get momentum going. Ken often commented that being a pastor was the “best job in the world”. His congregations fondly remember his inspired, thoughtful sermons, his mind-bending puns, and in particular, the creative energy and practical love he applied to everyone and everything he was involved with. Ken loved and embraced all people and cultures, truly living a life dedicated to Christ.

Cherished activities included mowing lawns; careful cultivation of sourdough pancake batter for prodigious community breakfasts; crafting his inventive weekly children’s sermons; singing, writing, and always serving others. Boundlessly energetic, he was also a man of humility, and questing insight.

He is survived by wife Betty Marie Smith; his sons, Kevin J. Smith (Anne Fons), Mark E. Smith (Robin Merritt), Gerald R. Smith (Janel), Kenneth A. Smith (Daniel Collison), daughter Janet A. Smith (Robert P. Jones), granddaughter Kathleen B. Smith, and grandson, Jackson P. Smith (Jessica).

Kenneth was pre-deceased by his mother and father, William and Marjorie Smith, his brothers, James and Gerald, and his son, Philip A. Smith.

A memorial service will be held at Birchwood Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 1pm. Memorials can be made out to the Presbyterian Mission (Presbyterian Church USA), P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA, 15264-3700; https://pma.pcusa.org/donate/make-a-gift-info/102/ .

Memorial Service

  • Date & Time: September 16, 2017 (12:00 AM)
  • Venue: Birchwood Presbyterian Church
  • Location: 400 Meadowbrook Court Bellingham, WA 98226 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (360) -73-3-8860

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18 responses to Kenneth Wilbur Smith

  1. Reverend Ken Smith’s dedication and support throughout my Jr High and High School years, in Juneau at the Chapel By the Lake, shaped the person I am today as well as my brother Dean’s. I do not think I would have survived that time in my life without his and Betty’s energy, compassion, and concern for all of us. He will be greatly missed by all those he touched.

  2. Wish I could be there to give you all hugs . Please know I pray for you all and thank the Lord He has given us a way to be together again someday. I am thinking Phil is showing him around heaven right now. Love to all. Marjie

  3. Beth says:

    A life well spent! Jerry you are a true reflection of your heavenly and earthly father. Rejoicing with you all in his home going!

  4. Lynn Humme says:

    Our family has known the Ken Smith family for about 35 years. We attended Ken’s church on Kauai, and became close family friends. For several years he and I worked together at the Larger Waimea Parish, and he was the best boss I ever had. He baptized all our children, and they all remember him fondly. He kept in touch and cared about us all through the years. We were blessed and privileged to know him!
    Much mention has been made about his pun-ability, but what stands out to me was his great personal integrity, and his seemingly endless energy. The letters I got from him detailing his so-called retirement were full of projects in the works and endless meetings and activities. He always had time and energy for the things of God.

    He was the first pastor I had had who wasn’t just focused entirely on his own congregation. (Or maybe he felt that all the world was a potential congregation.) He earned everyone’s respect by how active he was in the community: always welcoming to and interested in everyone. He showed me that Christians should not be just huddling among themselves, but out in the world and their neighborhoods, living their faith while living their lives. How many people came to Jesus through knowing him and observing that you could still have fun and be a regular person, while being a Christian? His was the best kind of example!

    I’ll never forget this three-fold test for determining if rumors should be repeated. The three questions were: Is it True? Is it Necessary? and Is it Kind? Obviously, there would be a lot more harmony if we subjected ourselves to this standard of speech.

    In short, Ken was my Pastor, my Mentor, my Example, and my Friend. Live forever, Ken! We’ll miss you here on earth. Until we meet again, my heart stay broke.

    Sincerely, Lynn Humme

  5. Such a wonderful man that I will always recall with great respect and fondness. At the Eagle River Church Pastor Ken always had a chair reserved and labeled “Ida” for a nice elderly lady in the congregation. I have no doubt that, upon entering heaven, Ken bypassed any entrance inteview and went directly to a chair waiting for him and simply labeled “Ken”. Condolences to Betty and the family.

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