L. Glen Smith

Longtime Yreka resident L. Glen Smith passed away quietly at his home on July 15, 2015. He was 90 years old. Glen was born January 26, 1925 in Portis, Kansas, the only child of Roy and Orel Smith. Glen and his parents moved from Kansas to Fresno when Glen was three years old. Growing up in Fresno, Glen attended school through high school, graduating from Fresno High School in January of 1943. He attended one semester of classes at Fresno State College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in June of 1943. He served as an aviation ordinance mate, third class, aboard the USS Cabot during World War II until he was discharged in 1946. After his discharge, Glen returned to his family, now living in Vallejo. He went to work at a local grocery store where he met and fell in love with a co-worker, Lois Heath. Glen and Lois were married on July 21, 1947. The couple returned to Fresno where, under the GI Bill, Glen re-enrolled at Fresno State. While at Fresno, Glen joined the Mu Alpha Delta fraternity, majoring in Physical Education. Attending college and supporting a family by working at Carnation Dairy, Glen graduated from Fresno State in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education plus a teaching credential. In the fall of 1950, Glen taught PE, science and math at the junior high in Hanford. In 1952, Glen left teaching to enroll at the California Highway Patrol Acadamy in Sacramento. Joining the CHP in 1953, he patrolled the highways out of the Fresno station. Working as a patrolman, Glen and his family had the opportunity to experience living in various parts of California. In 1959, Glen was promoted to sergeant and was transferred to Red Bluff, where he worked two years before returning to Fresno. 1967 saw Glen promoted to lieutenant and the family moved to El Centro. He was stationed there until 1969, when he earned a promotion to captain, moving for the final time to Yreka as area commander. He retired from the CHP in 1979. During his retirement Glen enjoyed camping and fishing at Medicine Lake, hooking up the trailer and traveling around the Northwest with Lois, and playing golf as a member of the Shastina Country Club. He enjoyed visiting and spending time with family and friends. Glen was preceded in death by his wife, Lois in 2010 and youngest son, Michael in 1956. He is survived by his daughter, Glenna Barkalow and her husband, Perry; a son, Mark Smith and his wife, Mary; grandson Jordon Barkalow and his wife, Jennifer; great granddaughter Destinie Mogg-Barkalow; granddaughter Gillian Brittan and her husband, Jeff; great grandsons Vander and Maxton Brittan; granddaughter Danyell Ward; great grandsons Wyatt and Westlee Ward; grandson Shane Lawrence; great granddaughter Layla Lawrence; granddaughter Raychel Lawrence and her wife, Leigh Lawrence; granddaughter Kindra Richcreek; great granddaughters Haley and Alexis Richcreek; great grandson Dayton Richcreek, and great great granddaughter Dehlyla Richcreek-Cushman. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 31, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the Miners Inn Convention Center in Yreka.

L. Glen Smith

January 26, 1925 - July 15, 2015