Wayne H. Smith, 91, passed away peacefully December 14. 2022. He will be buried at Antioch Cemetery next to his grandparents.
Wayne was born July 7, 1931 in Medford, Oregon at Mrs. Puracur’s Maternity Home to Fred and Leila (Bigham) Smith. He lived in his childhood home on Table Rock Road his entire life. He attended the one-room Table Rock Schoolhouse, and graduated from Central Point High School. Wayne was a life-long member of West Main Church of Christ.
Family was very important to Wayne. He grew up around many cousins. He had a small farm and raised sheep, pigs, cows, rabbits, chickens, and geese. He always had a large garden that he gladly shared the produce and flowers from with family and friends. His great nieces and nephews always had a fun time playing and adventuring at Uncle Wayne’s farm.
Wayne worked in the orchard industry his whole life at Hull Orchards/Naumes. Oftentimes, after work, he would take his boat up to Emigrant Lake and meet the extended family to water ski and have fun on the lake.
He loved Christmas! His home always had two trees set-up and fully decorated, and his collection of over 77 Santa’s was proudly on display. Every year, nieces and nephews would join in the family tradition of making hundreds of popcorn balls at his home before Christmas. He also looked forward to the Bigham 4th of July Family Reunion at Union Creek every year.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lucile Gann and brother Ernest Smith. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Elaine (George) Chinnici, Melissa (Kevin) Sundholm, Russ (Shawna) Gann and Glen (Theresa) Gann, as well as many great nephews, nieces and cousins. Wayne was well loved by all and he loved everyone in return.
His last few years, he was loved and cared for by the staff at Casa Verde Foster Home.
