Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Smith, Gene June 15, 2005
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K T bluewolf@onemain.com June 23, 2005, 9:32 pm

The Tehachapi News 
Gene Smith 
July 20, 1934 – June 15, 2005

Gene Smith died peacefully on the evening of June 15 at his home in Bear 
Valley Springs. 

Gene was born on July 20, 1934, in Englewood, Colo. to Alice Campbell Smith 
and Ernest Smith. He graduated from Englewood High School and attended the 
University of Colorado at Boulder.

Gene then entered the United States Marine Corps and served as sergeant during 
the time of the Korean War. After his service, Gene attended the University of 
Redlands and received a bachelor or arts degree in 1959.

Gene continued his studies at the School of Theology at Claremont, graduating 
with a Masters of Theology in 1964. He began his career in ministry as an 
associate minister at the Burbank Methodist Church, providing youth ministry 
and counseling during the 1960s.

In 1968, Gene expanded his career to include counseling with the state of 
California in the Department of Corrections as a probation officer. In 1971, 
he accepted a promotion into the Department of Parole and moved to San Jose.

In 1985, Gene and his wife, Barbara Joan Smith, attended the Unity School of 
Christianity Seminary in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Graduating in 1987, they were 
ordained at Unity Church of Christianity, Houston, Texas, as associate 
ministers where they served for three years.

Gene founded the Unity Church of North Houston in 1990 and served there as co-
minister with Barbara for 12 years. 

He retired to Tehachapi with his wife and mother-in-law, Bernice Cowgill, in 
2002. (Bernice and her husband, George E. Cowgill, were residents of Bear 
Valley Springs since 1980.)

In spite of a lifetime of brilliant health and fitness, in the fall of 2004, 
Gene received a diagnosis of brain cancer. He bravely battled his illness and 
made certain to enjoy and cherish the many loves of his life until his passing.

Throughout his life, Gene was on a personal quest of growth and learning. He 
shared his journey openly with his family and many friends. On this courageous 
path, his accomplishments were many.

He will be remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 38 years, Barbara J. 
Smith of Bear Valley Springs; brothers, Wesley Smith of Boulder, Colo. and 
Steve Scott of Littleton, Colo. and their families.

He was the proud father of five children: daughter Shelley Smith Diks and son-
in-law Bartel Diks, son Jordan Walker Smith and daughter-in-law Annie Smith, 
daughter Susan Carlson Lim and son-in-law Larry Lim, daughter Joan Leigh 
Carlson, and daughter Carol Talesfore Orem and son-in-law Alex Orem. He was 
the adoring grandfather of Alyssa Diks, Brandon Diks, Sara Talesfore, Julianne 
Lim and Cassandra Lim.

There will be a memorial service at the Oak Tree Country Club Sunday, June 26, 
at 2 p.m. All are welcome.

Wood Family Funeral Service handled the cremation arrangements.


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to the deceased.
http://www.tehachapinews.com/obits.html
Volume 106 - No. 10
June 22-28, 2005


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