Alvin "Al" Howard Smith, 71, passed away Feb. 4, 2015, in Winnemucca, Nev., of natural causes.
Born Sep. 16, 1943, to Jim and Emma (Jacobson) Smith in Broadus, Mont., Al was the middle of six children. He was raised in Saco, Mont., and graduated from Saco High School in 1961. Al joined the United States Air Force after high school and received an honorable discharge.
Following his military service, he was employed by the state of Montana and continued his education in welding and electronics at the Vocational School in Helena, Mont. In 1969, Al married Patricia Gregory. Together they had three children - two sons, Ronald and Kelly, and daughter, Valerie. He moved his family to Alaska and was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. During his 30 years in Alaska, Al was an avid hunter, commercial fisherman and skilled bush pilot. In 1994, Al met Vonnetta Sudbrack of Saco, Mont. They were later married in 1998 and together moved to Winnemucca, Nev., where he began his long, successful career with Newmont Mining as a radio communications specialist. He retired from Newmont in 2014. In his free time, Al enjoyed working in his yard, tending to his garden and spending time with his family.
Al is survived by his devoted wife, Vonnetta Smith and his children, Ronald Smith, Kelly Smith (wife Rebecca) and their three children, Katlynn, Fisher and Hayden, and Valerie Smith; step-children, Tiffany Sudbrack, Tara Scheffelmaer (husband Ray) and their two children, Brenna and Shelby and Dayla Sudbrack; sisters, Bonnie Smith (husband Gene), Sandra Nelson and brother Dan Martin. Al was preceded in death by his parents, Emma and Jim, his sister, Donna, and brother, Tom Martin.
Services for Al were held at Sonoma Funeral Home in Winnemucca, Nev., on Feb. 7, 2015.[[In-content Ad]]
